A MAN is remembering his mother ten years after she died by fundraising for the hospice that cared for her.

Hayden Curtis, from Worthing, was just 15 when his mum, Emma, passed away from cancer in 2012, aged 42. A decade on, he has signed up for a new sponsored walk from St Barnabas House to thank the hospice for caring for her.

He said: “When mum went into the hospice, I didn’t really have a full understanding of what was going on, or what a hospice was because I was young.

“But now, looking back, I have a full understanding and I am so appreciative of everything they did for us.

“Nothing was ever rushed at the hospice, we always had as much time with mum as we needed and, afterwards, they gave us time with her to grieve.”

The Argus: From left to right: Hayden, mum Emma, brother Carl, and nephew JackFrom left to right: Hayden, mum Emma, brother Carl, and nephew Jack

Hayden, now 25, will be joined by his partner, Tia, and many other participants for the 20-kilometre walk next month.

For the pair, the ‘Sunrise to Remember’ walk will be an emotional, as well as a physical, challenge.

“My mum was a very funny lady and one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever known,” Hayden said.

“She was so family-oriented; she would do anything for us.

“I have two children - Ivy, who is three, and Luna, who is almost six.

“My mum now has six grandchildren and I know how happy that would make her.”

Walkers will set off from Worthing Leisure Centre at 4.15am and set off from darkness into the sunrise along the tree-lined paths of Worthing, across fields, down rivers, and along the beautiful coastline.

Hayden said that his mum would have laughed at the prospect of him taking on the walking challenge.

He said: “I’m not the most athletic person, so I know she would find it funny, but she would have loved it too, knowing that I’m doing something to help and give back to the hospice would have meant the world to her.”

People can sponsor Hayden and Tia at justgiving.com/haydecurtis.