A Worcester man is preparing to cycle 44 miles through the Brecon Beacons in memory of his wife Dawn and to raise money for the hospice where she spent her final days.
Mark Sims, 40, will climb some of the highest off-road tracks and trails in southern Britain on the Brecon Beast mountain bike challenge in September, in aid of St Richard's Hospice.
Dawn, whose full name was Nikki Dawn Highmore Sims, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2005, less than a year after she and Mark married the previous April.
St Richard's helped arrange home care for Dawn, a medical bed and other support aids for the home before she became an in-patient on New Year's Eve 2009 and died this January.
Mark said, "I am cycling for St Richard's who cared for my amazing wife Dawn in the last seven months of her life.
"The level of care and compassion Dawn received at the hospice was simply astounding, and the incredibly supportive and personal atmosphere there made a hugely positive difference to what could otherwise have been a traumatic time."
Mark has already raised more than £1,000 in sponsorship for St Richards, and hopes to reach about £6,000 in total. He described the hospice's care as "astounding".
"I can't praise St Richard's enough, both in terms of the physical facilities and support given to Dawn and me," he said. "I genuinely believe the hospice gave me an extra four months with Dawn, when she nearly died last summer but recovered and bounced back for a short while.
"The staff, especially in the in-patient Unit, were remarkable, attentive and compassionate.
"Special mention goes to nurse Katie Forde, who struck a special bond with Dawn and really made the whole experience humane and personal - she truly exemplifies what 'caring' is all about in my opinion - it's not just about drugs and charts, it's about people and relationships, which the hospice is so good at."
Mark only began seriously cycling in the past two years, and will tackle the Welsh hills with his friend Chris Oldhams, 30. Chris is fundraising for the Stillborn and Neonatal Deaths Society (Sands), which supported his family following the death of his newborn son a few years ago.
St Richard's Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 2,100 patients and family members in Worcestershire. For more information visit www.strichards.org.uk.
To sponsor Mark go to his webpage www.justgiving.com/mpsims.
