Dan Wells-Waller, from Louth, organised a local 5k run last year in honour of his dad, Chris, who died the day before. His fundraising challenge raised over £3,000 for St Barnabas Hospice, whose Hospice at Home team had cared for Chris.
Since then, Dan has supported St Barnabas as Lead Torchbearer at the 2024 Torchlight Procession and plans to run 60k this year to mark what would have been his dad’s 60th birthday.
Chris was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020, which had a great impact on the family.
Dan said: “Over time, it brought us closer than ever. We always had hope, but the cancer started to spread and three Christmases in a row, news of the cancer getting worse was given to us. Even with this he still had a smile on his face.”
Described as a caring person who always had time for people, Chris never stopped to complain and simply got on with what he wanted to do. A loyal follower of MotoGP, he visited his favourite track, Mugello in Italy, after his diagnosis.
“He travelled without travel insurance, much to our worries. He never gave up and pushed what he could do whether it was working or travelling through the chemo.”
A perfectionist in everything he did, from his livelihood – farm work to modest tasks such as packing the dishwasher. The farm meant everything to Chris, and Dan explains:
“He was the only farmer I know who had clean overalls folded neatly in his tractor.
The week before he died, it had come to a point where he struggled to speak as he was in pain. He rang me one morning to check that the fertiliser had been applied to the field before the rain. Thinking he’d started to recover because he was talking, I went to go see him. He was still in the same pain, he just wanted to make sure the farm would be fine when I took over.”
Chris was cared for by St Barnabas’ Hospice at Home community team in his own home, where he died aged 59.
“I can’t begin to thank the nurses enough. St Barnabas’ care granted his final wish – which was to die at home with his family around him. He wouldn’t have had this without that care. They were excellent, and were there not just for him, but for all of us every single day.
“Having four years to prepare for his death allowed me to appreciate the time I had with him, and who he was. But this can never be enough when it finally comes. I worked every day with him through harvest, and more than my dad, he was my best mate.”
Dan had planned to take part in a run in Manchester before his dad died. As the event neared, he didn’t feel comfortable travelling away from his dad, so he chose to organise a 5k in Louth instead, inviting others to join him in supporting St Barnabas.
“Unfortunately, the night before the run he passed away, so I knew we had to still do this for him. The amount of people who turned up was amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough for making an amazing day, to celebrate his life and support a great cause.”
Dan shares his advice for those considering doing a challenge for St Barnabas this year: “Just do it! I’ve always been worried to do a fundraiser in the fear that no one would donate. But you don’t know until you try and no matter how much you raise; it all goes to a great cause.”
St Barnabas Hospice supports over 12,000 patients and their families, and over £7 million needs to be raised each year to continue providing people with compassionate care in Lincolnshire.
From skydiving to running marathons, and cycling long distances to undertaking a steps challenge, there are a variety of ways to push yourself, test your stamina and support local hospice care. Whatever your fitness level, ability or age, there is something for everyone.
All donations raised contribute to the funding of St Barnabas’ vital services, enabling more people to receive specialist end-of-life care and more families to receive bereavement support.
To take part in an upcoming challenge or choose your own for St Barnabas, visit the website and sign up today. https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/fundraising/challenges/