Daughters to thank hospice by taking part in night walk

The daughters of man who was given end-of-life care by nurses from Treetops Hospice have signed up to take part in a sponsored walk in aid of the charity.

When Walter Dodd was diagnosed with lung cancer, he wanted to spend his final days at home.

Just 18 days later, with support and care from Treetops Hospice nurses, Walter died peacefully at home with his wife and two daughters, Jenny Wye and Claire Lewis.

Now, Jenny and Claire have signed up to take part in the Treetops Moonlight Walk to say thank you to the hospice.

Proceeds from the sponsored 10k night walk helps fund nursing care for local patients at the very end of life, in their own home.

Jenny said: “Daddy was a keen walker. He loved to travel with my mum, and there weren’t many places around the world that they hadn’t visited.

“He also loved being at home, pottering in his beautiful garden, and spending time with his six grandchildren. He was a doting grandpa.”

Walter was a fit and health-conscious 79-year-old, attending a gym three times a week, when he developed a cough in the summer of 2017.

Jenny said: “After antibiotics failed to do the trick, Daddy had an X-ray which showed a shadow on his lung.

“He had never smoked and rarely drank, but despite his fit and active appearance, the cancer had spread like wildfire.

“The cancer was so far advanced that there was no time for treatment, no time for tests, or hospital visits, no hope. His diagnosis was a bombshell that stopped us all in our tracks.

“In less than two weeks, our lives had been turned upside down. Daddy’s health declined rapidly. Claire and I moved back home, helping mum to provide round-the-clock care.

“The call from Treetops to offer us a Hospice at Home nurse overnight was literally like hearing from a guardian angel. It was a lifeline.

“Leaving Daddy in the capable hands of palliative care specialists allowed us to finally get some much-needed rest, knowing he was safe and comfortable.

“The nurses visited each night, and their support made an immeasurable difference for our family.

“Those precious eighteen days were filled with love and togetherness. It was wonderful that we were all at home with him when he died. This may not have been possible without the support of the Hospice at Home nurses.”

Jenny and Claire will be among several hundred people taking part in Treetops Moonlight Walk on Friday 6 September at 8pm.

Participants can take on a 5k or 10k route, starting and ending at Bustler Derby.

The Treetops Moonlight Walk entry fee is £18. Everyone who takes part is encouraged to raise £48 in sponsorship. This will help to fund four hours of Hospice at Home nursing care for local patients, like Walter, at the very end of life.

Jenny said: “We’re very proud to be walking in Daddy’s memory. It seems fitting to take part considering how much he loved walking.

“It’s something Claire and I can do together and we’re hoping some of our children will join us too.

“The Moonlight Walk is an opportunity to support a very worthy charity and have fun with family and friends along the way.”

For more information and to sign up to take part visit http://www.treetops.org.uk/moonlightwalk2024 .