From Oz to Oldham, Family Supports Hospice who Cared for Grandad
16 Jul 2021
Laura Heywood, 27, from Melbourne, Australia has joined with four family members living in Greater Manchester to fundraise for Dr Kershaw’s who cared for Laura’s grandad, Alf Guilbert, before he sadly passed away in May.
On what would have been Alf’s birthday, 13 June, the group of five started their virtual run / bike ride of 589km, the equivalent of walking from Shaw where Alf lived to his birthplace of St Peter Port, Guernsey. The aim was to complete their challenge in 30 days but with one week to go they had smashed their challenge, adding on extra miles in the form of a 64km victory lap around the island of Guernsey.
Laura said: “Not being able to come home due to Covid was heartbreaking but completely out of my control, especially near the end when grandad could no longer communicate, but I knew he could hear me.
This challenge has been something we can do together, it's hard to describe how much it means because it just means so much. I'm so many miles away, but when I'm out running or biking, I'm always thinking of my family, knowing they are doing it too, and we are all doing it in my grandad's memory. It gives me that warm feeling of home, and we are giving something back, raising money to help continue the amazing service that Dr Kershaw's Hospice provides so others can continue to have the best end-of-life care at home where family members can visit and receive support too!”
To support Laura and her family in memory of her grandad, visit: www.facebook.com/AlfGuilbertFundraiser
Registered Charity Number: 1105924
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham OL2 6EU
phone: (0161) 624 2727