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
