'Trinity Hospice staff were the angels we needed': Family raises £1,500 for hospice in memory of beloved dad

Ava Makepeace, sister Sara Mccullough, and brother Steve Hurst Jnr set their sights on a 10k run in memory of their father, Steve Hurst Snr, who died aged 66 from motor neurone

disease in January.

Ava, 49, said: “The inspiration for the run was our gorgeous dad who died from motor neurone disease.

“It is a terrible, life limiting disease, with no cure.

“It effects the muscles and leaves you paralysed with awful respiratory problems.”

Their mum, Yvonne, had nursed husband Steve for three years before he went to Trinity Hospice in Bispham, where he spent his final weeks.

Ava added: “Dad died in Trinity Hospice so we wanted to raise awareness for the hospice who looked after dad in the last four weeks of his life.

“They provided him so much dignity, love and the care he needed in his final days.

“They allowed our family to be with him throughout this time and the nurses and medical staff were definitely the angels we needed at the time.

“Trinity will always hold a special place in our hearts.

“We felt they needed help even more this year due to Covid-19 and the deficit in funds they are facing.”

The family, from Blackpool, raised more than £1,500 for the hospice through their challenge.

The run, on November 29, ended up being 11.2k long and took them from Lytham Lifeboat Station to South Pier in Blackpool, a place where their dad loved to play near in his youth.

Ava added: “Four months ago we all decided to get fit, lose weight and train for a 10k run. I lost three stone in the process and Sara lost one stone.

“We have never felt as fit and healthy in our lives.

“The training was arduous and sometimes relentless.

“I personally had never run in my life before .

“On the day of the challenge, we set off very nervous and emotional because we were running for dad.

“However, we had lots of socially distanced support on the route and we all made it!

“The pain and agony we endured in training and the run itself was nothing to what dad and other family and friends have gone through in their life.”

Steve Jnr , 28, who is a keen runner and has signed up to do the next London Marathon in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, finished the run in 45 minutes. Sara, 46,

completed the challenge in one hour six minutes and Ava finished in one hour 22 minutes.

Ava added: “Our mum, Yvonne, along with the whole family are eternally grateful to everyone who has supported us . We will continue throughout our lives to continue to raise awareness

for Trinity and also the MND Association.”

To make a donation, search ‘Ava, Sara and Stephen are running a 10k’ run on www.justgiving.com

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