WHY HAYLEY BROOKER IS RUNNING THE 2012 READING HALF MARATHON

1 January 2012

Benji Coles’ mum Loretta died of Motor Neurone Disease in December 2010. She was cared for by SueRyder – Nettlebed Hospice in the months up to her death.

Benji Coles’ girlfriend, Hayley Brooker (25), has decided to raise money for Sue Ryder by running in the Reading Half Marathon on April 17.

Hayley said: “This is the third time I have run in the Reading Half Marathon. I wasn’t going to do it again, but then I thought maybe I will, and then I decided that I would definitely run it for Sue Ryder because of the care they provided for Loretta. It’s my way of saying thank you to the staff at Nettlebed Hospice and I hope to raise as much money as I can.”

Loretta was first diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in May 2009. Benji explains how this devastating disease progressed and how Sue Ryder helped his Mum and family.

“Mum and I used to always go up to the Sue Ryder– Nettlebed sales. We had been going for a few years and that’s how Mum decided that she wanted to go there when she was feeling at her worst.

“My sister and I initially looked after mum once she was diagnosed. It was very demanding all hours of the day and night, and became increasingly more hands-on as the disease progressed. It was when lifting became a problem for us, that’s when we knew we needed help. It was very stressful for us all as a family.

“We had to make a decision, to either adapt our home to cater for Mum’s needs and have nursing support, or look into care homes. It was Mum who made the final decision that she wanted to go to Sue Ryder for a few weeks’ respite. And because of the circumstances here, she decided that she'd like to stay there.

“Sue Ryder were excellent, they said to us that Mum was more than welcome to stay. In all, Mum stayed at Sue Ryder for about 11 months, which I think is the longest time a person has been cared for there. Mum loved it there. She liked it being as homely as possible as she was a very homely person. Her room was covered in photographs, postcards and pictures which her great nieces and great nephews had drawn for her, making the room her own. There was a lovely view out of the window and her room was twice the size of any other room we looked at in nursing homes.

“The garden created interesting talking points for us all, like the big fish pond. Mum especially liked to watch the Red Kites swooping down to eat the meat put out for them.

“The Sue Ryder staff were very accommodating with visitors which was very important to Mum, being such a family person. Mum also enjoyed her ‘60s and ‘70s music. The nurses used to play Mum’s own personal music CDs whilst they washed and changed her, which she loved. They also had a radio and would tune into whatever Mum wanted to listen to, they were very good like that. The nurses used to dance to the ‘60s and ‘70s music, which amused Mum.

“Sue Ryder made a huge difference to my Mum, and to both me and my sister. Mum often worried about her care being a burden on Jade and I; Sue Ryder greatly reduced this worry for us all. This meant that she could enjoy the time she had left and could interact with Jade and I more, easing the stress which made a big difference. It made the same difference to me and my sister; we could stop having to worry constantly about looking after mum, instead we could go and see Mum when we wanted to and enjoy our time together, and come home knowing she was in good hands. Before mum went to Sue Ryder I never used to be able to sleep through the night, Mum would be pressing the bell up to 10 times, and I used to have to go to work the next day, it was difficult, it was certainly much easier when mum was up at Sue Ryder.

“By having the same regular staff, they got to know Mum very well. They also got to know me and my sister well. It was very personalised care, tailored to what Mum needed. They would regularly review her, come up with strategies on how to look after her. We had lots of occupational health suggestions, and trialled 4 to 5 different wheelchairs and also hoists. By use of a hoist, Mum was able to have a jacuzzi bath at Sue Ryder which she loved, and she just couldn’t have had at home.

“The doctors were also very approachable and efficient. We always trusted that Mum was in excellent hands. All of the staff at Sue Ryder were very friendly, and they offered as much support as I needed. The nurses took a lot of effort to get to know mum, they were brilliant. They also sent Mum postcards when they went on holidays, which she enjoyed receiving. I put Mum to bed most nights and the nurses were always on hand to help whenever needed.

“We are all very glad Sue Ryder is there. I don’t know anywhere else that offers such good service, and such a personalised service, within great settings. I know if Mum had to choose somewhere again to be looked after; I know she would choose Sue Ryder.”

Getting ready for the Reading Half Marathon, Hayley said: “The best part for me about running in the Reading Half Marathon is running through the town centre, all of a sudden there are loads and loads of people and even though you’re really tired, you see them all cheering you on and it helps motivate you to keep on going. I also really enjoy the finish, you get to run into the Madjeski stadium and it makes you feel like you’re at the Olympics which is always quite fun. By the end of the Half Marathon I am nearly walking but entering into the stadium and running a lap around the track gives you a boost of adrenaline, I always end up sprinting to the finish line.

“I’m hoping to raise at least £750 for Sue Ryder – Nettlebed Hospice, through cake sales and asking friends and family for support. Loretta used to think I was a little bit mad for running half marathon distances, but I think she’d be pleased knowing that I was running to raise money for Sue Ryder. I just really want to make her proud of me, and to raise as much as I can.”

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