A MUM whose own parents both died from lung cancer is paying a heartfelt tribute to the hospice which provided care and support.

Kelly Harris-Farleigh is taking part in the Manorlands Starlight Hike on Saturday to raise funds.

She will be joined by her brother, Kieran Harris, and her son Joshua.

Kelly's mum spent her final days being cared for at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

She had been diagnosed with lung cancer in November, 2005, and was told the following month the disease had spread and was terminal.

The next summer she suffered a stroke whilst visiting family in Northern Ireland and was admitted to hospital in Belfast, but her wish was to be back home with her husband – who had been too ill from lung cancer himself to travel with her.

She was eventually flown back by air ambulance and admitted to Manorlands.

"Mum was very near the end of her life and the care she received at the hospice from the minute she arrived was second to none," said Kelly.

"We only had her for another eight days before she sadly passed away, but the facilities for families at Manorlands meant I could stay there with Josh, who was four at the time.

"He got to spend some time with his nana and also saw a child psychologist, who through play and talking was able to help make sure he was able to begin to understand what was going on.

"It also meant my dad was able to stay at Manorlands with my mum, despite his own terminal battle with the same terrible disease. He was with my mum the night she passed away.

"Everyone at Manorlands was amazing with all of us.

"I will never be able to repay or thank them enough for the care, help and support they gave my mum, dad and my whole family, but hopefully through raising this money the hospice will continue to be able to help families the way it helped mine."

The Starlight Hike will begin at Oxenhope Station, where there will be music, stalls, entertainment and a warm-up.

Participants will then board the Starlight Express – courtesy of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, using a train specially re-named for the night – and travel to Oakworth, where the 10km walk will begin.

They will follow a marshalled route through villages and countryside back towards Oxenhope, taking in the Starlight Avenue – within the hospice grounds – where people can hang a star dedicated to the life of a loved one.

Entertainment and refreshments will be provided en route, and at the finish walkers will receive a goody bag and hot sandwich.

Main sponsor of the event is Stirk Lambert & Co accountants, of Keighley.

Hayley Ibbotson, senior community fundraiser at Manorlands and the hike organiser, said: "It's going to be a fantastic event with plenty of fun. Please get in touch as soon as possible if you would like to join us."

For more details, visit sueryder.org/starlighthike/Manorlands, e-mail Hayley.ibbotson@suerydercare.org or call 01535 640431.