By Leicester Mercury | Posted: October 08, 2013
The family of a woman who died of lung cancer have raised more than £7,000 for LOROS Hospice.
Debra Merrall died on 17th December at the age of 48.
Her husband Steve and daughter Sam Hill decided to raise money for the charity to thank it for the support she – and they – received.
Steve, of Braunstone Frith, said: "LOROS is a fantastic place. They make you feel like you're a person, not a patient, and they certainly don't make you feel like you have an illness.
"LOROS does everything and anything to make the whole process easier."
When Deb was ill, Steve said they agreed when she was better they would pay the charity back.
He said: "But when it became apparent she wouldn't hit 50, I promised her I'd do anything for the charity."
On Saturday, Steve, 50, completed a 24-hour dart challenge he organised and competed in.
Two teams of four, alternating playing then resting for an hour, saw who could score the most in the 24 hours.
Steve said the event, at the Foresters Arms, in Frog Island, Leicester, went 'really well'.
He said: "The pub was full, it was fantastic."
On September 29, Steve's daughter Sam, of Western Park, Leicester, organised a five-mile fundraising walk through Bradgate Park.
More than 60 people completed the walk, including 36 children.
Sam said: "It was my five-year-old daughter Libby's idea.
"She wanted to do something for her Nanny. All of the children wore pyjamas and the adults wore pyjama bottoms and a LOROS T-shirt.
"Mum would've been so proud."
Steve said: "For the walk Sam organised, LOROS printed out a certificate for every single child who took part, to show them what they achieved. They care so much.
"After Deb died, six weeks later, somebody from LOROS sent me a hand-written letter to see how I was.
"It makes it that little bit more personal.
"We raised £7,500 for them, which is a tiny bit of the millions they need to survive. But they offered help in any way they could.
"In return, I decided I would help in any way I could."
This week is Hospice Care Week, a national initiative which aims to raise the profile of hospice staff and their volunteers.
