Vince Raises £1,600 for Hospice After Wife's Care

Vince Brand completed the Brentwood Half Marathon in March and raised over £1,600. Here, Vince shares why he took on the challenge and why he’s determined to support the charity that cared for his wife and family.

My wife Lin was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2018. We were in shock that it was so far advanced.

When we were initially introduced to Saint Francis Hospice, Lin was feeling well and didn’t need any support, but when her condition deteriorated, Lin had her first stay on the ward for pain management.

We were anxious about going to the Hospice. Our feeling was that it was purely end-of-life care, but that wasn’t the case. What we experienced was incredible.

The treatment and services offered were all beyond our expectations. Lin was only on the ward for a few days while the care team dealt with her pain and adjusted her medication. Our grandson was born while Lin was in the hospice, and they both came home on the same day - it was an incredibly special day.

After her first experience of the Hospice, Lin wasn’t worried about going back. She felt it was a place that understood what she was going through and would help her as much as possible.

In early 2023, the cancer had spread from her bones to her organs. Lin was having chemotherapy to try and slow the spread, but she could not cope with it and had to stop the treatment.

We accessed the Hospice again and were surprised to discover it offered nurse and care support at home.

The care on the ward was excellent, but Lin wanted to be with her friends and family at home in her final days.

There is nothing like your own home. You granted our wish, and we were so grateful to have those final memories.

The Hospice at Home team was wonderful. The nurses came in every day until the end and gave Lin and our family quality time together. They would help with the district nurses and even helped to sort out Lin’s medication with the pharmacy.

I had been unable to go out, but with the Hospice at Home team there to support and care for Lin, I could have a reluctant break or go out for a walk. When Lin’s final days did come, the nurses made sure my family and I were supported beyond that.

We had been married for 35 years, and it was such an incredibly tough time. I joined a Hospice bereavement group in October. It was helpful to talk about my thoughts and emotions in a group. I didn’t know anyone, but we were all going through a similar bereavement process. It was important for me to feel I was not on my own.

I also had several 1-2-1 counselling sessions that were useful in helping me understand my grief and releasing my pain.

The Hospice was a positive ray of light in what was a dreadful period. I do not know what we would have done without them. I have a lot to thank the Hospice for. After Lin died, we had a Celebration of Life and asked for donations, receiving over £5,000 in her memory.

I wanted to give something back, and I'd promised Lin that I would not wallow in my grief.

I had started running in the middle of last year after my wife died, and I was working my way to do a 10k when I saw the Saint Francis Hospice advertising board promoting the Brentwood Half Marathon at Shenfield train station.

It was my first half marathon, and I enjoyed being part of the team of runners at the Hospice. It was good fun on the day, and the support was great. I set my target at £400, and I’m proud I was able to double it and then double it again to raise £1,600.