Loving mum to embark on 130-mile walk in memory of her daughter

A woman whose daughter was cared for at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in the final days of her life is embarking on a poignant 130-mile walk in her memory,
Julie Hardy’s daughter, Katie, who lived in Cirencester, spent the last 10 days of her life at the Sue Ryder hospice near Cheltenham and married her partner Jake there just days before she died in November last year.
Now Julie, a School Business Manager, is taking on ‘Katie’s Memory Walk’, travelling from Katie’s childhood home in Larkfield, Kent, along footpaths, all the way to Southampton, where Katie completed an internship while studying accountancy, and where she met Jake. Along the way she will pass through Otford, Reigate, Guildford, Farnham and Winchester.
Katie, who was only 28, was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer after first feeling unwell in March 2023. Julie aims to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder on the walk but also hopes it will help her come to terms with her loss.
She said: “I thought I would just do this for Katie. I will be setting out from Larkfield on Saturday, July 25. It’s 130 miles and I’ll be walking about 15 miles a day for nine days. It’s the furthest distance I’ve ever walked. I’ve booked hotels along the way so there’s no going back now. I’m also going to stay with two of my nieces for the last two stops which will be lovely. I’ve got loads of friends and family that are joining me as I walk. My walk is to raise money for Sue Ryder but also, I hope it will help me through what has obviously been a very difficult year.”
and when she revealed on arrival that she and Jake had just got engaged, staff pulled out all the stops to organise a special wedding day for them.
Julie, 60, said: “Everyone at Sue Ryder was so kind, caring and compassionate. They did so much for Katie. With her love of the outdoors, Sue Ryder made sure she could go outside, with all the necessary precautions, and we enjoyed beautiful sunsets.
“They also could see when we were struggling and when things were getting really tough and were able to support us too.
“When Katie arrived, she was asked, ‘is there anything you’d like to do while you are here?’ Without hesitation, Katie said that Jake had proposed yesterday and now wanted to get married.
“They arranged a beautiful wedding for Katie and Jake in just 48 hours; it was unbelievable. I cannot even begin to tell you what an amazing day that was, a day filled with love and joy in amongst a very hard and difficult time.
“Jake and I went shopping for the rings, going back and forth and were lucky that we found the right sizes in the rings that Katie loved. I remember popping out to a charity shop on the morning to get myself a fascinator. There was food and cake and a lovely shawl for Katie to wear round her shoulders because it was November, they even got someone to come in and do her make up for her. It was so special for them both and I can’t thank the Sue Ryder team enough for that.”
Katie died on November 19, just seven days after her wedding. A committed cub leader, she has since been posthumously awarded the Chief Scout Commendation for Meritorious conduct for her dedication and love of the movement, aiming to inspire all who she met along the way, and her 10-year leadership award.
Julie said: “Organising this walk helps because it’s something to focus on and if I can raise a little something for Sue Ryder, who were there for my daughter at the end, it’d be a nice way to repay their kindness. If this goes well, I would like to continue the walks in future years covering the other places that Katie lived and worked during her life.”
To sponsor Julie’s walk go to: https://katiehardy.muchloved.com/Fundraising/Events/739806281
To find out more about Sue Ryder visit sueryder.org

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