The Cause

St. Margarets Somerset Hospice

St.Margarets Somerset Hospice is a charity committed to providing specialist palliative care, advice, support and respite to patients and their families living in Somerset and parts of neighbouring counties. Its first 16 bed In-Patient Unit and Day Centre centre officially opened in June 1987 in Bishops Hull, Taunton, Somerset. In December 2003 a second 16 bed In-Patient and day centre opened in Yeovil, Somerset with the same name and mission as the Taunton centre. Both hospices provide care for those who have a terminal or life-limiting illness, for example cancer, motor neurone disease and chronic lung disease.

Through their medical expertise, nursing skills and specialist support services, the hospices offer physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to patients and their families. Bereavement support is also available.

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice is fully registered under the Healthcare Commission. The government contributes 19% of the income it requires to provide services the rest - almost £7 million a year - has to be raised independently. This amount is raised by charitable donations, fund raising events, through income from hospice shops and sponsored events. For examples of how that money is used, download a copy of the 2006/07 Impact Report written by the hospice.

I could continue to tell you all about the wonderful work done by the hospice and the fabulous efforts of the volunteers who support it, but I think their website does a more comprehensive job of doing that. Their site can be found at http://www.somerset-hospice.org.uk/

What is my Connection ?

The picture below is me with my Dad, Harold Doherty. It was probably taken in Summer 1967 when I was 1 1/2 and my dad would have been 23.

Although I don't really remember this picture being taken, it should come as no surprise that I look pretty damn cool! You'll notice that I am sitting on a football, which makes me think that the picture was taken in either Platt Fields Park, Manchester or possibly at Hyde Road football fields, Manchester. In later years I would spend many cold but enjoyable, Sundays watching my Dad playing football there.

Anyway, this section is not purely about reminiscence: my Dad is the link between me and St.Margarets Hospice.

In 1984 my Dad (Harold) became ill and was eventually diagnosed with Myeloma. In 1986 after 2 years of fighting the disease (a previously unknown survival rate) with magnificent support from my Mum, he became one of the first outpatients of the hospice - the Heron Road site was yet to be completed. In Spring/Summer 1987, he became an in-patient for extended periods of time and eventually died there on 21 October 1987.

I have always been grateful for the dignity and respect shown to my Dad while he was in the hospice, and the emotional support offered to all of our family by CancerBackup (merged with Macmillan in 2008).

Twenty Four years later, this Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride is my way of going some way to repaying the kindness and generosity shown to all of us during those difficult times.

How to Donate.

Of course there is a purpose to all of this. I need you to sponsor me to complete the Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride. I don't care if it's Pounds/Pence; Euros or Dollars of any sort - it all helps!I've tried to make the process of giving as simple as possible by setting up a JustGiving site at http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Doherty. You can easily donate there by clicking on the gadget to your left. Whatever you donate can be made to work harder in two ways:

If you are a UK taxpayer, by selecting to donate before tax, St.Margarets will be able to reclaim an extra 28% on top of what you pledge.

My employers, Morgan Stanley International, will match pound for pound (to a maximum of £2000), the amount I manage to raise through you, my sponsors. Every little makes a difference - many thanks for your help.

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