Worthing woman to raise money for hospice charity

Stella Thompson, 49, from Worthing, was told in 2017 that her mother, Val, had six months to live, before moving into St Barnabas House, a hospice in Worthing, before her health rapidly declined.

After losing one parent, Stella recently received news that her father, Den, would need care from the hospice after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

“Mum sadly deteriorated much quicker than expected and she died in five weeks,” said Stella.

Stella and her father. Den.

“At the time, my dad was in shock, and St Barnabas House really helped him deal with everything through their bereavement support.

“Dad now needs ambulatory oxygen to help him breathe, which is a small portable oxygen cylinder, and he also needs quite a lot of assistance to walk and dop everyday activities.

“The Hospice at Home team are also regularly visiting Dad at home. I’m so thankful for them - they help us navigate the journey we are on together.”

Stella and her husband, Keith, 55, and three of their works colleagues from Nevalee Business Solutions, Chris, George and Juan, will walk a 10-kilometre route from Worthing Leisure Centre to Worthing seafront to raise money for St Barnabas.

Stella's mother, Val, died in 2017

The group will be just one of many to take part in this year’s Sunrise to Remember event on Saturday, June 25, which will see contenders catch the 4:44am sunrise along the way, after a 4:15am start.

When asked what her father makes of the charity fundraiser, Stella said: “I think he is a bit shocked!

“Dad doesn’t wake up until quite late, and I told him that we’d have finished the challenge and be home by the time he’s out of bed, and he laughed and said ‘well, don’t knock on my door on the way through!’ I know he’s proud of us.”

The youngest member of the team, 23-year-old George Lee said: “I’m either still in bed at 4am, or I might be coming in from a night out – but I’m not usually going out at that time.”