In loving memory of his mum, Sarah, local runner Sean Towers has taken on a series of running challenges, including the Manchester and Loch Ness Marathons, to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice, where his mother sadly died last year.
Among his challenges, Sean completed an emotional 30-mile tribute run from East Lancashire Hospice to Blackpool Tower, honouring his mum’s wish to visit Blackpool Zoo and their special shared memories at the Hospice.
When Sean’s mum, Sarah, first arrived at East Lancashire Hospice, he admits he wasn’t sure what to expect.
Sean explained,
“I thought it would be like a hospital, but the Hospice is so homely and peaceful, it’s nothing like I imagined.”
During her time at the Hospice, Sarah was cared for in the Inpatient Unit, where she also received Complementary Therapy sessions. She loved spending time in the Hospice gardens, soaking up the summer sunshine.
Sean remembers sleeping in a recliner chair beside her bed during her final few nights, while other family members used the Hospice’s overnight stay room.
Sean said,
“The staff couldn’t do enough for us, they even let me keep items in the café fridges to make things easier.”
Sarah formed a close bond with many of the Hospice staff, especially Michael on the Inpatient Unit, who had also cared for Sean’s grandad through the Hospice at Home service.
Some of the family’s most precious memories involve Sean’s young daughter, who was only 18 months old when her grandma died. She loved exploring the Hospice gardens and still remembers the experience vividly.
Sean shared,
“Even months later, when we attended the Sunflower Memorial Event, she went looking for the flamingo in the pond, to this day, she calls the Hospice ‘Granny’s Special House.”
Before she became unwell, Sarah had planned to visit Blackpool Zoo to see her favourite animal, the orangutan. The family had booked a coach for the trip, but just two days before, Sarah was admitted to the Hospice. Months later, Sean fulfilled her wish by visiting the zoo with his partner and daughter.
Sean said,
“When I got to the orangutan enclosure, I honestly cried my eyes out, thinking of her,”
Since then, Sean has continued fundraising in his mother’s memory. Alongside his marathon challenges, his symbolic 30-mile run from East Lancashire Hospice to Blackpool stands out as a deeply personal tribute. So far, he has raised over £4,000 for the Hospice.
Even Sean’s daughter has joined in, taking part in the Hospice’s Hop, Skip and Jump event, proudly bunny-hopping her way to raise sponsorship.
Sean reflected,
“We honestly couldn’t have picked a better place for my mum to spend her last days,”
If you’d like to support Sean’s fundraising efforts for East Lancashire Hospice, please visit his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/seantowers
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