Family takes on 'crazy challenge' for hospice

A Kent woman is preparing to take on a "crazy" challenge in memory of her mother who passed away from a brain tumour.

Jemma Maddock, from Tunbridge Wells, said Hospice in the Weald had provided her mother, Julie, with "exceptional support".

To thank the hospice, Jemma and her family decided to undertake a firewalk challenge.

"I've learnt you have to do the craziest things to get people to donate," she said, having previously done a parachute jump at Headcorn and run the Brighton half marathon to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity.

She said she was "not scared" about walking on embers.

"When I think about how much support a hospice provides to both patients and their families, this motivates me to do it," she said.

The 40-year-old said there had been "tough days" since her mother, Julie, had passed away six months ago.

She described her mother as "special, outgoing and really fun".

"Even when she was ill, she didn't moan," she added.

Jemma said she and her sister, Tara, secretly organised a wedding renewal ceremony for her mother and father, Peter, in February 2024.

"Mum cried happy tears when we told them what we'd planned," she said.

Jemma said when her mother's condition worsened, she was admitted to the hospice in Pembury.

She initially thought sending her mother to a hospice was "quite daunting".

"The hospice staff were so warm and welcoming, and mum was there for two and half weeks," she said.

"At the end we were all in the room together, with three nurses each hugging me, my dad and sister while mum drifted in and out. I will never forget it."

Lisa Browning, relationship fundraising manager at Hospice in the Weald, said: "We are thrilled to be launching our new firewalk and are grateful to everyone who has already signed up."

The event is due to take place on 14 March at The Camden Arms in Pembury.

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