I've always loved to run; when I run, I am in my happy place. My family have always been supportive of my running, particularly my Grandfather, Tony Shaffrey.
Grandad, better known to many as "The Shaff", was a huge part of my life. He and my Grandmother kept every newspaper cutting that featured my running achievements, and even would rock up to race finish lines in secret so to not put me off my race. He was the greatest Grandfather I could wish for.
Grandad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021 at the age of 80. He was given a life expectancy of 3-5 years. 20 months later he had significantly deteriorated and eventually was moved to Jersey Hospice in October 2023. Grandad died on the 31st October, after 7 days of being cared for by some of the most incredible people I have ever met.
A friend recently said to me how you can never really appreciate the work Jersey Hospice do until you see it for yourself. Before Grandad went to Hospice, I'll admit I wasn't fully sure where it was in Jersey, let alone what they did for their patients. Now I can confirm that the team at Hospice cannot do enough for residents and their families, and we cannot thank them enough for doing so.
Myself, along with my parents, Lisa & Stephen, and our family friends, Ed & Fiona, are running this years Hospice 2 Hospice Half Marathon to try and give back as much as we can to the amazing charity that supported our Shaff in the final week of his life; for making him so comfortable, and at peace.
Thank you to Hospice, and thank you to you for reading a little bit of my Grandad's story x
This fundraising page benefits the following good cause:
Jersey Hospice Care is the island’s only hospice – providing specialist palliative care for people with life-limiting conditions. Services include the Specialist Palliative Care Team – who support people at home, in hospital, and in care homes, an In Patient Unit providing a home away from home, educational programmes, complementary therapy, emotional, spiritual and faith support, and community bereavement services. Jersey Hospice Care is an independent charity, providing all its services without a charge to patients. It costs £18,000 a day to run – funded mainly by the generosity of islanders. This comes in the form of donations, fundraising, and sales in our charity shops, as well as through the outstanding work of the dedicated volunteers who give their time and skills to keep Hospice running.
The Hospice 2 Hospice half marathon is a 13.1 mile run thought the beautiful lanes of St Ouen, St Mary and St John.
Starting at the hospice fundraising shop in St Ouen and finishing in the hospice car park on Mont Cochon.
Entries are available for people over 17 years old and include an option for a two or four person relay.
12 Mar
£10.00
"Good Luck Jess"
07 Mar
£10.00
"Good luck Jess"
03 Mar
£10.00
No message
26 Jan
£5.00
"Well done Jess u lil superwomen ♥️"
25 Jan
£10.00
"Good luck, Jess! Great cause :)"
22 Jan
£20.00
"Good luck Jess and well done for supporting the amazing work that Hospice do."
22 Jan
£20.00
"Go For it Jess! I’m proud of you and I know your granddad is too! Good luck xx"