St Leonard’s Hospice Wolds Walk on Saturday, June 13

Nicki Coombs, her two brothers Steve and Mike, and her niece Isabelle will take part in the St Leonard’s Hospice Yorkshire Wolds charity walk on Saturday, June 13 in memory of their father, Ray, who was cared for late last year.

Nicki Coombs said: “Dad loved walking and used to take the family climbing up hills when we were younger, so it feels like a fitting event to take on in his memory.

“He spent five days at St Leonard’s, and it made such a difference to his quality of life, as well as ours.”

Families taking on the Wolds Walk last year (Image: Supplied)

Ray lived with Parkinson’s disease for around 20 years and developed dementia in the last four years.

He eventually moved into a care home, and after a short hospital stay, was transferred to St Leonard’s Hospice.

Nicki said: “The hospice looked after the whole family, not just Dad.

“It was the little things that made a big impact while at the hospice, like bringing a record player into her dad’s room and playing music.

“Dad also grew facial hair while in hospital, which isn’t what he’d usually have.

“The healthcare assistants at the Hospice wanted Dad to look and feel like himself, so after viewing photos of him, they made sure he was clean shaven and was wearing clean clothes.”

“The hospice made a really difficult time that bit easier for us.”

Channon Barlow, head of fundraising at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to Nicki and her family for taking on the Wolds Walk challenge in her dad’s memory, and for sharing her experience of the care and support the Hospice provided to her family last year.

“We’re only able to do what we do at St Leonard’s thanks to the generosity of those in our community, and we’re all wishing Nicki and her family the very best of luck for the challenge on 13 June.”

The St Leonard’s Wolds Walk takes place on Saturday 13 June, and offers a choice of 12-mile or 18-mile routes through the Yorkshire Wolds.

Walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part.

For more information and to sign-up before the deadline on Wednesday, June 10 visit https://stleonardshospice.org.uk/how-can-you-help-us/events/