It will be a real family affair when June Bursill and her relatives get to together to take part in this year’s Colour Bubble Fun Run at Walton Hall on September 29.
June and her children, Nicola, Sarah, Diane and David, along with her grandchildren will be there to honour the memory of her husband, and their Dad and Grandad, Alan, who was cared for by St. Rocco’s earlier this year.
“Dad deteriorated quite quickly and was in pain and agitated at home. It was such a relief to all of us that he could come in to St. Rocco’s,” said Nicola. “The help we had had up to that point had been brilliant but going through this experience, and not knowing what to expect or what to do, it was great to have the support from St. Rocco’s.”
Alan wasn’t one for hospitals but the family say that he became much calmer as a result of being cared for at St. Rocco’s.
“It’s such a lovely environment and not at all like being in hospital. We could visit whenever we wanted and mum was able to be with my dad the whole time. There was space in the lounge for us to take time out. During the beautiful weather at Easter we were even able to take Dad out into the courtyard in the sunshine. He really enjoyed that, chatting and looking at the planes.”
On June and Alan’s 36th wedding anniversary staff made sure there was a celebratory cake and the family brought in flowers and bubbly to celebrate, wanting to make the most of every moment they could. In the evening the St. Rocco’s choir came to sing for patients.
“It was such a special moment,” said Sarah, “The choir started singing. I was sitting with Dad. I saw him open his eyes. He looked straight at Mum and it was as if he knew and then he passed peacefully away. If any moment could be described as perfect in our circumstances, it was then. We had a recording of the choir singing the same piece of music at Dad’s funeral.”
The family have already raised over £1700 through donations and fundraising but are determined to raise as much as possible through taking part in the Colour Bubble Fun Run.
June said: “We can’t believe that places like the hospice can only survive on donations from the public. They are such important places. All hospices should be funded properly to ensure they are there when needed. We want to do our bit to help.”
St. Rocco’s Colour Bubble Fun Run takes place at 3pm on Sunday 29th September and is fun event for all the family. You can sign up now at https://www.stroccos.org.uk/events/colour-bubble-fun-run/
