Our Mini Marathon superstar, Tayden

Nine-year-old Tayden Matthews is what you could call a bit of a hero. This year was his fifth time taking part in the Hospice Mini Marathon! Yep, for half his life, he’s been an avid partaker in our annual running event for children, and why?

‘Because it means I can help people who aren’t as fortunate as me’ he said.

Tayden’s grandad, Terrence, was supported by Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice to die at home when Tayden was just four. ‘When my grandad passed away, the hospice helped him,’ Tayden told us, ‘I still remember him. He was really fun.’

Tayden must take after his grandad on the fun stakes, as he loves nothing more than getting dressed up and putting a smile on everyone’s faces. During lockdown he donned lots of different outfits and his mum, Laura, sent photos to loved ones when they couldn’t see each other.

Lockdown didn’t stop Tayden from taking part in the Hospice Mini Marathon, this time running round Plumstead Common to raise money for this hospice. In fact, he said, he liked it because ‘there weren’t many people which meant I could go faster.’

In his first few years of taking part the young athlete would run with his dad, Terry, but last year insisted on taking the challenge by himself. ‘I did it in 20 minutes – dad was going too slow before,’ he said. His victory was even sweeter when he won the best costume competition as he dressed up as a surgeon! He said his reason for this was to ‘raise awareness of the NHS and show how important it is.’

‘I think that first of all, running the Hospice Mini Marathon was about grandad, but then I think about all the other people who need support from the hospice and all the people that use the hospice.

Tayden, we think you’re an absolute star!

‘I did it in 20 minutes – dad was going too slow’

‘Knowing Teresa was so well looked after gave us real peace of mind…’

Louise Smith, 43, from Bexleyheath, lost her beloved older sister Teresa Ash to cancer in January 2022. She says the care not just Teresa, but the whole family, received from the hospice in the last months of her life was incredible. Since Teresa’s death her loved ones have raised almost £15,000 for the hospice.

‘Through the years my sister Teresa was always there for me. Kind and protective, she soon sorted things out if I had any trouble at school, and when I became a mum was on hand to help.

‘After having her son Luke, who her life revolved around, she became a nanny working with the same family for many years and then for a local preschool. Helping children to thrive was Teresa’s passion in life and she absolutely loved her job. She touched so many people’s lives.

‘Teresa was very fun-loving and warm. She was giving and unselfish – she’d spend a hundred pounds to buy you a present you’d always wanted but wanted nothing in return. She was godmother to both my girls, Chloe and Jessica, and they adored her.

‘Teresa was very close to our parents Mary and Richard, our older brother Jason and his three sons. Dad sadly passed away after a long illness, but Teresa had helped to care for him and was a huge support to Mum.

‘When Teresa was diagnosed with cancer herself it came as a huge shock. She wasn’t one to make a fuss and by the time she found out, it was advanced. She had treatment to try to get it under control, but not much could be done. From the start she was so brave, taking it all in her stride, never once feeling sorry for herself.

‘The hospice became involved with Teresa’s care a couple of months before she died. The lovely community nursing team came out whenever she needed support, helping to get her pain under control and putting in place a bespoke care plan.

‘We knew we could call them at any time and that was so helpful – you just felt supported.

‘Teresa’s aim had been to get to Christmas. We were able to go away on a belated holiday to celebrate her 50th birthday and she spent Christmas at home with all the family. I’m so grateful we had that time with her.

‘A few days later Teresa went into the hospice’s Inpatient Unit. The care she received was really personal, fitted around what was important to her. Everyone is so welcoming and the care they offer isn’t just about the patient. They understand that terminal illness is difficult for everyone. There was always someone to offer us a cuppa or ask how we were, and they also helped us to have difficult but important conversations.

‘Knowing Teresa was so well

Roses to Remember looked after gave those who loved her peace of mind. We could spend quality time with her when it mattered most. She slipped away peacefully with Mum at her bedside.

‘The staff were so amazing. Seeing how Teresa was cared for makes you realise that hospices are actually about people achieving the best quality of life they can, for as long as they can.

Mum, Luke and a very proud Teresa celebrating Luke’s Graduation

‘One of the ways we have supported the hospice since was through their Roses to Remember campaign last summer. We purchased steel roses in memory of Teresa and have proudly displayed these in our garden after we saw them on display in the hospice gardens.

Teresa’s nieces remembering their aunt

‘This year, I hope you will join me in remembering your loved ones and buying a rose to remember them too.’

TO DEDICATE A ROSE, simply head to: communityhospice.org.uk/roses FOR MORE INFORMATION about our Roses to Remember please contact Jackie Smith on 020 8320 5785 or jackiesmith@gbch.org.uk 2 JULY 10am-3pm