By Leicester Mercury | Posted: August 31, 2013
A man has organised a 24-hour darts challenge after promising his dying wife he would raise money for charity.
Steve Merrall, 50, of Braunstone Frith, said it was his wife Debra's wish to raise money for Leicester hospice LOROS.
Deb died at the age of 48 on 17th December, three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer, on 4th September.
Steve said: "We received amazing help from LOROS, both at home with pain management visits and at the hospice.
"They were fantastic when my wife was ill and they supported me after she died."
"Being told that your wife has cancer, it's just life destroying," said Steve.
"It's as bad as it can get."
The couple married in 1982.
Steve said that at LOROS, 'they treat the patients, not the illness'.
He said: "It's not like hospitals. As soon as we walked into the Hospice, everyone had come in to say hello within 10 minutes.
"They explain everything to you properly – they say it bluntly without being blunt.
"You're not just a number, you're a person. In a weird way, they make the whole thing as good as it can be.
"They offered help in any way they could. In return, I decided I would help in any way I could."
He said when Deb was ill, they agreed when she was better they would pay the charity back.
Steve said: "But when it became apparent she wouldn't hit 50, I promised her I'd do anything for the charity."
With a target of £5,000, Steve has organised and will take part in a darts challenge.
He will be joined by his brother, Andy, and six friends, who were all close to Deb.
Using a one-hour-on and one-hour-off system, the team will see who can score the highest in the 24-hour period.
"Deb would be really proud."
The challenge will kick off at 8pm on Friday, 4th October, and finish at 8pm on Saturday, 5th October, at Foresters Arms, in Frog Island, Leicester.
There will be a raffle and two live bands performing.
LOROS' senior Fundraiser Adrian Walker said: "We are grateful to Steve, family and friends for Fundraising for the work of the hospice.
"The 24-hour darts marathon will be a very hard challenge."
To donate to Steve, visit: www.justgiving.com/ steve-merrall
