A personal trainer whose father and mother were both supported by LOROS has raised more than £45,000 for the Hospice in just 12 years.
Mark Padgett and his wife, Sallyann, of Coalville, have been raising money for LOROS since 2004, when his mum died.
Jean Padgett, who was 66 at the time, developed bone cancer in her leg, which later spread to her lungs.
Although Jean never experienced support from LOROS at the Hospice itself, one of the specialist nurses visited her house while she was ill.
“Mum never got to LOROS but their staff were prepared to come to her house, which we didn’t expect,” said 48-year-old Mark, who has three children with Sallyann.
“Everyone at the Hospice shows such compassion.”
Six months after Jean died, Mark and Sallyann converted their 10th wedding anniversary into a fundraiser for LOROS, which raised £1700.
In 2005, the couple raised another £2,700 for the charity through their first ever fitness event, which saw a group of Mark’s gym clients taking on challenges in return for sponsorship.
Soon afterwards, Mark’s father, Doug, was diagnosed with bowel cancer and in 2006, he was given the devastating news that he only had a few months left to live.
Doug received a lot of support from LOROS, including stints of time on the ward to manage his pain.
“He said being on the ward at LOROS was like being in a five star hotel,” added Mark.
“It’s so much about quality of life there and happiness. It’s about putting quality into the time people have left.
“I remember thinking at the time that the care and support shown by everyone at LOROS really does restore your faith in humanity.”
Doug died in 2007 and since then, both Mark and his two daughters, Lucy and Katie, have benefited from the counselling services offered by the Hospice.
“Sometimes I felt like it was so difficult to cope but without having LOROS there and the counselling team, it would have been even harder.”
Since his father died, Mark has continued to raise money for LOROS through regular challenge events.
Their last event, held in July, was the seventh of its kind and the 18 people taking part raised nearly £8,000.
“We couldn’t believe it,” said Mark.
“It’s a privilege to do it, we’re just so grateful for everything LOROS has done for us.
“And it’s so important for us to know that 91p of every £1 we raise is directed to care services.”
From a half-marathon power walk, to 30 minutes on the climber, Mark sets and agrees challenges with each of his clients, to help raise money for LOROS.
“Everyone who takes part is so passionate. I can’t emphasise enough that none of what we have achieved could have been done without them,and we would just like to say a big thank you to all our friends and clients who have helped so much over the years," Mark added.
“The passion they show mimics my relationship with LOROS.”
In addition, Sallyann decided she wanted to go that one step further to show her support for the Hospice, so in 2011, she began volunteering as a complementary therapist at LOROS.
“I’ve seen first-hand what a difference the support from LOROS makes and I’m so grateful that I too can support people who have been in our position.”
Mark is now looking to grow his challenge events, which are held at a church they have recently converted into a gym in Coalville.
If you are interested in taking part in one of Mark’s events in the future, please contact Mark at MP Personal Training by emailing: mark@mppersonaltraining.co.uk
