Doing it for Dad

Victoria Hamilton, from Kilmacolm, is running the Loch Ness Marathon in memory of her dad because she is “determined” to raise £10,000 for St. Vincent’s Hospice to thank them for their care and support.

After being diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer Tom Maitland (Victoria’s dad), was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospice in October 2018 where he spent 27 days in their care, before sadly passing away on the 14^th of November.

Victoria said: “Ultimately, I am running this marathon for St. Vincent’s Hospice because I can. I have legs that work and have seen first-hand what happens when cancer robs someone of their physical strength. I feel I owe them for the compassion, professionalism, kindness and expertise they showed my beloved dad and our entire family for the 27 days he was in their care, until he lost his battle with cancer.

“The days and weeks leading up to Dad’s admission were dark. His illness had taken grip and spread to his brain. Every day he seemed to deteriorate further. We were close to breaking point, and simply didn’t know where else to turn.

“From the moment he was admitted to St. Vincent’s, we felt rescued. I had always naively thought a hospice was a place you went to die; but now I know that a hospice is a place you go to live. Where you need not suffer any pain. A place where emotional support is available around the clock for the family and a patient’s last breath is made as dignified and as comfortable as possible.”

St. Vincent’s Hospice is a specialist provider of palliative and Hospice care for people and families affected by life-limiting conditions all across Renfrewshire. They provide this in a number of ways, from comprehensive care in their Inpatient Unit, to support with wellness and symptom control in their Day Services, and even within the comfort of people’s own homes throughout the community.

Each year, it costs nearly £2.5 million to provide these services, more than half of which is generated through voluntary donations and fundraising.

Victoria added: “For the 27 days my dad was under their care, I estimate that it would have taken approximately £10,000 of charity funding to provide his care alone. It is my mission to repay these costs as a small gesture for my family’s gratitude for being our salvation when we needed it most.”

The Loch Ness Marathon takes place on the 6^th of October 2019. To support Victoria and help her reach this incredible target, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victoria-hamilton7