A SALISBURY dad who sadly lost his son to cancer has raised almost £1,000 for the hospice that provided crucial respite in his final days.
Ben Dawkins and his family were supported by Naomi House & Jacksplace when his son Teddy passed away after being diagnosed with untreatable rhabdoid tumours – a rare and aggressive type of cancer that primarily affects infants and young children.
Following Teddy’s death in 2016, dad Ben embarked on his first ride in memory of his son as he cycled along the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne.
Despite the ride being described as a brutal 100 miles of off-road riding, Ben said it gave him headspace where he could quietly vent.
The ride raised more than £5,500 for both Naomi House & Jacksplace and spurred him on to raise money for the hospices that provided important and vital care and support for Teddy and his family.
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Ben’s latest ride saw him battle 32° temperatures as he traversed 129 miles around Salisbury Plain with a close friend, raising £915 at the time of writing, as part of Glorious Gravel’s Centurion event.
Despite the heat, the pair was able to complete the double centurion in 8 hours and 57 minutes, finishing in the top 20 of the 150 participants.
Teddy was diagnosed with rhabdoid tumours in December 2015.
Ben said: “We decided that he would come to Naomi House so we would be more comfortable in his last days. We arrived around January 15, 2016, and he passed away on the 20th.”
Ben has described his memory of his time at the end of Teddy’s life as “numb”.
“Going from minute-to-minute listening to doctors’ best advice and updates on Teddy’s failing health,” he said. “What I can say is that the staff at Naomi House were incredible.
“From the doctors to the nurses, their ability to keep us well supported was first class.
“I would never want anyone to go through the experience that losing a child does to you.
“This is why I feel how important it is to support such charities like Naomi House & Jacksplace, so they can always help others like they helped us.”
With every donation Naomi House & Jacksplace receives, the hospices are able to help support families like Teddy’s, who are going through some of the toughest times.
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