East Lancashire Hospice

Jamie's tribute to her Mum

Instead of celebrating Mother’s Day with her mum, Jamie Hodson will be signing up to East Lancashire Hospice’s Memories Walk in her memory.

Jamie, 30, from Darwen, lost her mum Diane, 49, last November after a long battle with cancer.

She said: “This will be the first Mother’s Day without my mum, who was also one of my best friends. I have lots planned to keep my mind busy, but I will be signing up to the Memories Walk this weekend in her memory.”

Diane, a former petrol station manager and uniform shop worker, was diagnosed with breast cancer around eight years ago. After undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy the disease returned spreading to her lymph nodes. Sadly, despite further treatment, the cancer came back with a vengeance, spreading around her body.

Jamie said: “It was only five days after hearing that the cancer was back and doctors told us it was terminal, that mum passed away. She was transferred to the hospice where they made her comfortable. They couldn’t do enough for us and were always so friendly and welcoming. You have to be a special person to work at a hospice.”

Jamie, along with friends and family, will also be taking part in the Bubble Rush event in May, with her team calling themselves Di’s Diamonds.

Jamie, who opened her own pet grooming business Hodson’s Hounds in November shortly before her mum passed away, will be raising additional sponsorship by grooming dogs and donating all proceeds to the hospice on certain days leading up to the event.

“I wanted to give something back. They helped my family so much. The walk is a lovely way to remember her,” she said.

The four-mile Memories Walk will take place on Saturday, 7 July. Registration will open at 7:30pm, with the walk starting at 9pm.

Each person will receive a heart shaped balloon on arrival and a candle bag. Entry is £15 per adult, and £10 for children aged 6-16 (the minimum age to take part in the walk is 6 years old). For more information visit https://­eastla­nc­shos­pice.­org.­uk/­memories-walk

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