Summary
Christian’s mum Maria spent her final weeks on Martlets’ inpatient unit after a long hospital stay. He explains how hospice care supported their family — and why he’s taking on the Brighton Marathon to fundraise for Martlets.
“I lost my mum to cancer in July 2025, and running has become a kind of therapy for me — a way to process my grief and gather my thoughts. Since Mum died my head’s been muddled, but running grounds me. For some people talking helps – for me, it’s exercise. I used to be a professional boxer, and distance running wasn’t really my thing until recently. I started training for the Brighton Marathon to raise money for Martlets, but it’s given something back to me too. Running is time for myself – space to think, to listen, and to process everything.
Care that felt personal
Mum was diagnosed with stage-three cancer, but within just two weeks it had become stage four and incurable. It all happened so quickly and we were heartbroken. She was in hospital for a month and it was so loud and busy in there. We were so relieved when a bed became available at Martlets as it made such a difference, and she spent the last seven weeks of her life there.
One of the first things I noticed was that the staff weren’t turning up just to do a job – they were passionate about hospice care. They truly cared about Mum and about us. Mum got on particularly well with one of the nurses and that special relationship was so important. Mum had worked in the NHS and for the Care Quality Commission, so she had a real understanding of what care is supposed to look like. Hospices offer specialist end-of-life care which you just don’t get in a hospital, and that’s just not being taken into consideration with recent government cuts. If slashing funding means you lose people like this amazing nurse then you’re cutting out the heart of compassionate end-of-life care. Everyone works so hard in the NHS, but hospitals just aren’t equipped to cope with an aging population who require specialist hospice care. My mum and other local families facing terminal illness deserve dignified support from staff who have the time and resources to provide it.
Christian and his mum Maria
Martlets was a sanctuary after weeks of distress
We’re thankful that Mum was able to be looked after in hospital, but it was tough on all of us. The contrast of the hospice with the hospital environment was stark. I still feel traumatised by the endless beeping of alarms, the rush, the noise, and the distress of patients needing urgent help in that hospital ward. All of that changed the moment Mum arrived at Martlets. Her ensuite room had a TV, a sofabed for guests, and doors that opened directly onto the beautiful gardens. Me and my brothers could stay overnight, and the staff made sure we had everything we needed — from snacks to fresh bed sheets. We ate meals together as a family outside in the sunshine and played board games – it was so calming.
Small gestures mean everything
One of the things that stuck with me was that every time I met a member of staff in Mum’s room they would remember my name. With all the work they had to do, they still made a point of remembering small details about our family, which we appreciated so much. The clinical team was good at giving us space when we needed it, but also being available immediately if Mum needed help or we had questions we wanted answered. Nothing was too much trouble, and the doctors took the time to try out different medications to find the ones that worked best for her symptoms. You could tell that the clinical staff were talking to each other and had great communication; we never had to repeat ourselves when staff changed shifts, and there was such great continuity of care. It’s things like that which hold so much weight and made life easier for Mum and for us as a family.
Fundraising in memory of Mum
Although it was a difficult time, we felt so much peace at Martlets and the team there will always have a place in my heart. Mum passed in July of 2025 when summer was in bloom in the hospice gardens – she was just 62. Before she died, I remember asking her if there was a charity she’d like me to support and fundraise for in her memory. She immediately said “Martlets”, as she told me that in all her years working in healthcare she had never experienced such a high standard of care. So, I’ve decided to run the Brighton Marathon on 12 April. I’ve been blown away by people’s generosity, and with gift aid I’ve smashed my target of £5,000.
I’d say to anyone thinking of fundraising for Martlets: just do it. The fundraising team will help you find something you’ll enjoy. You might think hospice care isn’t relevant to your life right now, but things can change in an instant. Hospices rely on local communities for most of their income, and only a small percentage comes from the government. There’s an issue with hospice funding in the UK at the moment and it’s heartbreaking. People don’t realise just how important hospices are until they’re in a time of need. So please help in any way you can.”
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Make a difference today
If Christian’s story resonates with you, there are many ways to support Martlets — from donating, to fundraising, to taking on a challenge like the Brighton Marathon. Every contribution helps ensure compassionate, specialist care is there for families when they need it most:
Take part in a fundraising challenge
Play the Local Hospice Lottery
However you choose to support us – a huge thank you from everyone here at Martlets.