Dr Faye and Jack Take on the Peak District Challenge for Lindsey Lodge Hospice

Our Peak District challenge takes place on Saturday 6^th September and involves canoeing 2k, hiking 16k, and abseiling 100ft across the beautiful Peak District landscape.

Lindsey Lodge Hospice Doctor, Dr Faye Boothroyd signed up to take on our challenge earlier this year.

We asked Dr Faye why she’s taking on our brand-new Peak District Challenge, here’s what she said:

On a fundamental level, my participation in The Peak District Challenge is driven by the desire to embrace a personal health and well-being challenge, while simultaneously contributing to a meaningful cause. However, this concise explanation only scratches the surface of my motivations.

My profession in palliative care is an immense privilege. It’s a field that brings both profound joys – such as witnessing a patient who was bedbound for weeks return home, or a wedding celebrated within our inpatient unit – alongside moments of deep sadness, like when patients receive a rapid diagnosis and decline before they, their loved ones, or friends have adequate time to process the news. This environment is, understandably, emotionally charged, often encompassing both happiness and sorrow. Practicing robust self-care is therefore essential to navigate these daily realities and, equally important, to be fully present for my own family.

Dr Faye and son Jack

In the UK, there has been a societal tendency to avoid discussions around death and dying. Consequently, palliative care often remains an unspoken topic, as many individuals are hesitant to talk about it. Yet, palliative care encompasses far more than the dying process; indeed, it is profoundly about living. The most accurate description I’ve encountered defines palliative care as ‘specialised medical care focused on improving the quality of life for patients who have a potentially terminal diagnosis and may be in their last years of life.’

At Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Healthcare, we collaborate seamlessly with our colleagues in hospitals and the community to deliver a holistic approach, addressing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of patients and their families. While hospice care is provided free for anyone who needs it, it’s important to note that approximately 30% of our funding is government-provided. The remaining 70% must be generated through dedicated fundraising events and generous donations.

By undertaking the Peak District Challenge, I aim to raise vital funds for the hospice, enhance public awareness of the true nature of palliative care, and honour the memory of my best friend and my brother-in-law, both of whom we lost to cancer in recent years. Joining me on this challenge is my eldest son, Jack, who will be participating in memory of his uncle.

You can sponsor Faye and Jack by visiting their just giving page

Inspired to take on the challenge yourself? There are only limited spaces remaining; find out more and sign up by clicking here.