Here we go again….Dad and I will once again be dusting off our bikes and continuing down the river Danube and hoping to push Cathy’s Tribute fund from £25,000 towards £26,000. You can follow our progress on Instagram.com/danube_cycle_jenny_dewey.
Trip one started at the source of the Danube in Donaueschingen in the Black Forest, Germany and took us to Passau on the boarder with Austria. Trip two took us all the way across Austria from border to border via Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia. In time we hope to cycle the full length of the river Danube ( in stages – let’s not get too carried away here! ) This time we are aiming to reach the half way mark at Budapest. What started out as one trip to settle an old IOU (a Father’s Day voucher I never actually thought would get ‘cashed in’) has ended up being something quite mega!
You may ask "why ?" Let me explain.
Cathy was my sister; She was a kind, thoughtful and beautiful person who delighted everyone who knew her. At 23 her life was cut short by cancer but somehow, during her illness Cathy managed to face up to her situation, never complaining or even asking ‘why me?’.
While Cathy was ill, the Hospice at Home team from St Elizabeth Hospice provided essential support to Cathy. They supported us when we needed it the most and they were second to none. Nothing was ever too much for them. With their support we were able to share the final days with Cathy in the familiar comfort of our own home and that made a huge difference to us all.
This trip to the river, the trips that have been before and those that will follow are for Cathy. They are also in tribute to the people that helped us care for her in her final days. It really does take a special sort of someone to do that job and they are amazing. So, as we begin our next journey, and remembering I said I would never do this again, I will not be giving in and I will be thinking of my sister to make sure we make it stage by stage to the far end of the river.
Please support us on our mega trips by donating anything you can to the hospice. As the years have passed, more and more people we have known have sadly needed the support of the hospice and without fundraising, gifts and donations that wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you.
Jen and Dad Richard x
