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Pier to Pier Walking Challenge Raises £2,864 for Hospice

29 November 2023

More than £2,860 has been raised for St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice by Sally Owen and her brother, Andrew, via a Pier to Pier walk, in memory of their dad, Peter Ives, who received support from the charity until his death this year.

Taking place across 23rd and 24th September, the 49-mile journey saw Sally joined by her brother, Andrew, while family and friends provided support along the way.

Sally and Andrew took on the challenge for St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK, who both provided support to Peter before his death aged 77-years-old on 23rd June, while under the care of St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice at Beccles Hospital.

Their route saw them walk from Peter’s favourite café, ‘Sunrise at Zak’s’ in Lowestoft, to Cromer Pier, where he and his wife, Jenny, enjoyed the ‘End of the Pier Christmas Show’ for several years.

Sally, who lives in Beccles, said: “He was just a brilliant Dad, epic Grandad and loving husband. Dad’s last few days were spent at Beccles Hospital under the expert care of the St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice team. It’s this first-hand experience of this wonderful service that compelled us to take on the challenge.

“The walk was fantastic. In total we did just under 50 miles over the two days and by the end we certainly knew we’d done it!  The end was incredibly special. All our family had gathered in front of Cromer Pier with a finish line and banners to cheer us in – it was all a bit emotional!

“Not only was the walk a great success in raising money for two fantastic charities, it was a really special opportunity for us as a family to spend time together and celebrate Dad’s life. Dad would have thought we were mad, but I’m sure he would have been very proud too.

“We are so grateful to all who supported us and donated towards our challenge. This money is so important and will go toward helping other patients and their families when they need it the most.”

Since launching in April 2019, more than 4,475 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been supported by the free specialist palliative care provided by the joint partnership of St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH).

Typically living with conditions such as cancer, heart failure, chronic lung diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and neurological disorders, these patients have received free care through the partnership’s varied, specialist palliative care provision available at Beccles Hospital, in the community and through the service’s 24-hour advice line, OneCall.

Celia Joseph, community relationships fundraising manager at the hospice, said: “Well done to Sally, Andrew and their whole family for raising such a brilliant amount in memory of their Dad, for St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice.

“We rely on the support of people like Sally and Andrew to help us raise funds to support our work in the communities of Great Yarmouth and Waveney. Their donation will help us to continue to expand and evolve our services to care for more patients and their families, during difficult times of their lives. We are truly grateful for this amazing fundraising.”

For more information about the partnership’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/great-yarmouth_and-waveney.

To contact the 24-hour specialist palliative care advice line, OneCall, call 0800 567 0111.