A TEACHER has braved boiling temperatures and pouring rain to run nearly three miles a day in memory of her beloved mum.
Debbie Oswin says her life changed forever when mum Carol Wilson lost her battle with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumour, on July 2 2019.
The 59-year-old had been diagnosed just six months previously but due to the location of the tumour it was inoperable and life-threatening.
Mum-of-two Debbie said: “To say it came out of the blue is an understatement, Mum was a healthy wife, mother and nana looking forward to retirement.
“It was the toughest, most heart-breaking time we have had to go through. To see someone you love so much go through such a horrendous ordeal is unimaginable.
“As always mum dealt with it in her stride, lots of humour, always a smile, reminding me and my sister Sam to stay close and checking if we had eaten.
“She really was incredible. She is and will always be my absolute hero.”
Carol was cared for at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire at The Arden Centre and on Ward 35.
And Debbie was so impressed by the care her mum received she has been raising money for the UHCW Charity, which funds equipment, research and facilities for University Hospital, Rugby St Cross and Coventry and Warwickshire’s community and mental health care services.
The performing arts teacher from Coventry has been running nearly three miles a day since June 2 – often cheered on by friends along with husband Paul and daughters Jessica and Olivia.
She will do her last run on July 2, the anniversary of her mum’s death.
Debbie said: “I have been struggling with the thought of being without Mum for almost a year, and to say it has been a tough year is putting it lightly. It really is true that you don’t know what you’ve got till its gone. I miss and think of her every day, she really was a brilliant mum and such a special lady. We all feel a huge loss, life just isn’t the same.
“I needed a focus so decided to challenge myself.
“Running nearly three miles may not sound a lot but I am finding this hard. However, I am determined, and if I can raise a little money to support this fantastic cause then all the better.
“The care mum received was amazing, I honestly do not know how we would have coped without some of the wonderful doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who not only cared for mum but supported us too.
“Mum’s specialist nurse Ian went above and beyond. If we were ever worried we could phone him for advice and during her many months on ward 35 Ian visited her every day, I know she was comforted by these visits.
“I wanted to raise money so oncology can continue the high standards of care for people suffering like our mum with this horrible disease, it is a very scary time and this level of support is crucial for patients and their families.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debbie-oswin to donate.
