Grieving Worthing woman with MS takes on trek to help hospice

A grieving Worthing woman with multiple sclerosis is taking on the seven-mile Sunrise to Remember: Virtual Edition as a thank you to St Barnabas House hospice.
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Julie Ackroyd was given a huge amount of support when her son Luke Rumsey died in 2008 and again ten years later, when her husband Ray passed away suddenly.

She has since been diagnosed with MS, a condition which affects the body’s central nervous system, but wants to take on the challenge to support the Worthing hospice.

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Julie said: “The diagnosis of MS has been a very challenging one. This time last year, I needed two sticks to walk and I didn’t have the confidence to go out alone as I was very unsteady on my feet.

Luke Rumsey and his mum Julie were a formidable teamLuke Rumsey and his mum Julie were a formidable team
Luke Rumsey and his mum Julie were a formidable team

“But with the same determination I learned from my son, Luke, I was not going to be beaten by it and I am now walking five miles once a week.”

Taking place on Saturday, September 12, Sunrise to Remember: Virtual Edition is replacing Night to Remember, the hospice’s biggest annual fundraising event, this year and will see hundreds of people setting off from their own homes at sunrise on a seven-mile walk in memory of their loved ones.

Julie signed up because the hospice had cared for Luke at the end of his life and supported her emotionally after the sudden loss of her husband.

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She said: “If I can do it, so can you. Put your trainers on and get out there and train. This charity, which is so close to my heart, needs every penny we can possibly raise for them, especially after the effects of Covid-19, which has drastically reduced their income.

“Every penny counts. You just never know when you or your loved ones might need the help of St Barnabas House.”

Luke was born at 31 weeks and suffered a brain haemorrhage, which resulted in cerebral palsy and a rare genetic condition that caused the middle section of his brain to only partly form.

Julie said: “This resulted in many disabilities for Luke and he always required the same level of care as a newborn baby. However, despite his many disabilities, Luke loved life and was determined to do what he could and was well known for his smile.

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“I always knew Luke wouldn’t make old age but I didn’t expect it to be so soon after his 19th birthday.”

When Luke’s health dramatically deteriorated in 2008, he spent the final three weeks of his life being cared for at St Barnabas House. Julie was exhausted from caring for him at home and said admitting him to St Barnabas turned out to be the best decision she ever made.

She explained: “I stayed with him at the hospice and the nurses and doctors helped me to provide round-the-clock care for him. When Luke was coming to the very end of his short and precious life, they took over his care and I became Luke’s mum again. This was the greatest gift anyone could have given me – it’s not the right way round to lose your child.

“Luke finally lost his brave battle on August 20, 2008, when he passed peacefully in my arms. Just me and him, the way it should have been. Everyone said we were a formidable team.”

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Ten years later, when Julie lost her husband unexpectedly, St Barnabas House was there for her.

She said: “Yet again they helped me pick up the pieces and rebuild my shattered life with their bereavement groups counselling services.

“They helped me to realise all the feelings I had of anger, grief and hurt were all part of the process of coming to terms with the loss of another loved one. I was surrounded by people in the same situation and talking helped me to realise these were natural feelings of grief and it was okay not to be okay.

“I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without St Barnabas.”

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Sunrise to Remember is open to everyone. Registration is £12 per person, free for children under 16. For more information and to sign up visit www.stbh.org.uk/nighttoremember

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