A Prestwood man has shared his experience of how a hospice looked after his ill mother, as he encourages members of the public to Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge in aid of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

Chris’s mum, Caroline, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of just 49.

Following the diagnoses, months of treatment successfully thwarted her illness until there was no evidence of disease remaining.

Caroline and Martin Everitt pose for a pictureCaroline and Martin Everitt pose for a picture (Image: NA)

All was well until 2019 when an MRI revealed that the cancer had metastasised and was present in her liver, lung, spine, brain, head and jaw. 

Further treatment followed, to try and reduce the tumours and keep Caroline well for as long as possible.

Regular tests helped the family understand how the tumours were responding to treatment and by 2020, many of them had cleared up – only two remained which were in a lung and liver.

This was celebrated by the family, Caroline’s friends and anyone who knew her.

Chris and friends before starting National 3 Peaks ChallengeChris and friends before starting National 3 Peaks Challenge (Image: NA)

However, in 2022 tests revealed that the tumour had returned in Caroline’s brain.

At this point, the family was told that her prognosis would be shorter and in 2023, it was revealed that her health was starting to deteriorate.

She eventually died on October 6, 2023 – four days before Chris’ 30 birthday.

Speaking about how the Rennie Grove Peace team help, Chris said: “The Rennie Grove Peace nurses were so supportive and really worked to find ways for Mum to stay as independent as possible.

“The nurses visited regularly, and they could advise us when we were ready for the next step.

“Like suggesting when we might like to think about a stair lift or a hospital bed.”

During the time Rennie Grove Peace staff were visiting, Chris learned how little of the charity’s funding comes from the government and how reliant the organisation is on fundraising/donations.

He decided to start raising funds himself to ensure other families could access the same care his family benefitted from.

Most recently, Chris completed the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise vital funds for Rennie Grove Peace.

Chris and friends at the top of ScafellChris and friends at the top of Scafell (Image: NA)

Now, he wants to encourage people in Buckinghamshire to get behind the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge on Sunday, September 8, to ensure other local people can benefit from the same support his family received.

He continued: “Everybody who visited from Rennie Grove Peace was compassionate and honest with us.

“At one point the nurses told us that, based on her deterioration, they thought she would probably die within a week.”

 Anyone wishing to help on the day is asked to email: c3peaks@renniegrovepeace.org. For more information about the event visit renniegrovepeace.org/C3P.