After turning a tragedy into an amazing fundraising challenge to support KEMP Hospice, we met with Suzy who told us more about her 50 for 50!
Suzy’s Story
Hearing about the ways people choose to support KEMP Hospice, particularly at a time of grief, is something which continually inspires us. When Suzy Conway told us about her plans to fundraise for KEMP Hospice in 2025, we had to meet with her to find out more.
An epic fundraising challenge for a milestone year.
In January 2025 Suzy celebrated her 50th birthday and decided she wanted to do something special for such a milestone…complete 50 challenges for her 50th year and raise vital funds for a cause close to her heart.
Suzy tells us more:
“I’ve always been someone who spends time outdoors. I work full time in London but live in Shropshire so when I’m not at work or commuting, I spend a lot of time walking and running. A few months ago, an idea began to formulate about how to really celebrate my milestone birthday, which is when I thought about doing a 50 for 50 challenge.”
But whilst making plans for her special day, a tragedy struck the family which meant her focus was shifted away from the celebration.
“My father-in-law Mike had been diagnosed with cancer in 2014. He’d lived with it, and lived well for 10 years, but in December 2024 his health deteriorated suddenly and quite rapidly. Around 20th December he began to get particularly unwell. Until this point, he was still active and mobile but on Christmas Eve, Mike went to bed and never got out again.”
Asking for help and finding KEMP Hospice
“As a family we didn’t want to ask for help, we didn’t even think to. But when Mike had such a rapid deterioration, we spoke to our specialist nurse and as Mike lived in Kidderminster, we were referred to KEMP Hospice.”
“We received visits from the team, and they found us support with carers including respite care. We also had important financial and welfare advice from Anne. Mike received all the medical care he needed; but KEMP Hospice gave the rest of the family the network of support they needed to keep going through this difficult time.”
Sadly, on 1st January 2025, Mike lost his courageous battle with cancer and died peacefully at home.
“It was such an incredibly sad time, but after Mike died, it became clear what I wanted to do to not only mark my milestone year, but to honour him in a way that would have a meaningful impact.”
It was at this point that Suzy decided to make a commitment and fundraise for KEMP Hospice by completing 50 challenges throughout 2025.
“Fundraising to support KEMP Hospice for the support they gave us”
“I want to give back to KEMP. They gave us such support during those final days with Mike, the outreach we had from them is what got us through. I’ve chosen challenges that are intentionally tough. I wanted to do something with purpose and meaning, and something that will help me raise as much money as possible for KEMP Hospice.”
So far, Suzy has signed up to several epic challenges, including:
- A 9-day trail walk along Glyndwr’s Way in central Wales.
- Cycling the Caledonian Way, a 234-mile route in Scotland.
- Doing the 3km open water Big Welsh Swim.
- Completing four walks whilst on a short break in the Peak District.
- Walking 205 miles through the Pennine Hills along the Pennine Bridleway.
- Completing the Super Seven in the Wyre Forest in April.
Suzy’s 50 for 50 Fundraising Challenge
“I’ve got a wonderful support network of people to help keep me going. My husband and Mike’s son, Neil will help get me to each challenge location, joining me where he can. My daughter and my friends have also said they will also get involved with some of the challenges.”
“During the final difficult days of his life, we received unfailing support from the amazing team at KEMP Hospice. Without exception, individually and as a team, they kept us going over the Christmas and New Year period and gave Mike dignity and peace in his last days. Originally these challenges were about proving something to myself. Now, if I can raise some much-needed funds for KEMP Hospice and the services they offer, my personal challenge can transform into a worthwhile cause.”
Suzy’s plans are truly inspirational, and we cannot wait to support her and see how she gets on along her journey to 50 for 50! If you’d like to encourage and support Suzy, you can donate to her amazing challenge for KEMP Hospice via her Just Giving page.
If you’re feeling inspired by Suzy’s fundraising challenge and would like to fundraise for KEMP Hospice, find out more about supporting KEMP Hospice.
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