Gomersal man’s charity walk ‘thank-you’ in aid of hospice (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fundraising event to raise cash for hospice that cared for wife who lost cancer fight

11:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News By Claire Lomax

A devoted husband who lost his wife to cancer is to raise money for the hospice which cared for her in her final days.

Bill Vaines promised his wife Carol he would raise money for the hospice which showed her such kindness and it was she herself who came up with the title – Carol’s Cause.

Now 18-months after her death, Mr Vaines, 74, of Spen Lane, Gomersal , will be joined by family and friends on a sponsored Walk To Remember, in support of Wakefield Hospice.

The team aims to raise in excess of £1,000 which will go a long way to helping other families faced with the same experience as them.

Mrs Vaines was diagnosed with transitional cell cancer on January 5, 2011. The previously fit 62-year-old, who walked eight to 10 miles weekly, deteriorated quickly and on February 26 she was told it was terminal and was transferred from Pinderfields Hospital to Wakefield Hospice.

Mr Vaines said: “Before medication took control of Carol’s pain, Carol and I had a conversation about how grateful we were about her treatment in the hospice – the kindness, dedication and how they restored her dignity.

“We knew the end was close and we had to find a way of saying ‘thank you’. We agreed that I should walk and raise money in aid of the hospice.”

Carol suggested Carol’s Cause, before losing her fight against the disease on March 11, four months before the birth of her grandson Noah.

“It’s now 18 months since Carol died, the hardest 18 months of my life, but my long-time walking friend Alan Keyworth and my daughters Emma and Katie will be at my side, as well as Carol’s nephews Andrew Sibson and Greg Storey, who insisted they wanted to be part of the effort,” added Mr Vaines.

“We are a formidable team and going for a target of £1,000.”

To sponsor the team, visit: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/carolscause.