06/09/2026
Nick Anderson, aged 40 from Ellistown, is taking on the Leicester Half Marathon in October this year alongside a team of close friends in memory of his mum, Christine Anderson.
In 2025, Christine was cared for by LOROS both at home and on our inpatient ward in her final days. Nick wants to do as much as he can to support LOROS after experiencing the compassionate care Christine received. Here is his .
"My mum was the heart of our family. She was caring, strong and loving, and she was always there for the people she loved. Even during the hardest moments of her illness, she showed incredible courage and kindness. Cancer may have taken her from us, but it will never take away the love, memories and strength she gave to everyone around her.
Mum was 65 when she was diagnosed with cancer. It started with something as simple as toothache, but we soon found out that she had jaw cancer. She had part of her jaw removed, but unfortunately the cancer spread to her throat.
LOROS became involved in Mum’s care around the middle of 2025. At first, their nurses came to our home to help with things like dressing her wounds and managing her pain. As Mum deteriorated, they were coming out every day to care for her. I’d come home from work and the LOROS nurses would be there with Mum. They were unbelievably friendly and the level of care was fantastic. It was almost like having another family member caring for her. It felt like genuine love.
We got to know the same faces and that brought a real sense of comfort. Mum felt comfortable with them and so did the rest of us. Right from the beginning, we knew she was being looked after.
Mum wanted to stay at home for as long as she possibly could, and we wanted that for her too. Eventually, though, it became too much for everyone, including Mum herself. She had accepted what was happening, and when LOROS got in touch to say there was a bed available for her, she knew it was where she needed to be.
I’d never experienced LOROS before. I knew that once Mum went into the Hospice, there was a good chance she wasn’t coming home, and that was a harsh realisation. But from the moment we arrived, everyone made us feel welcome. I can’t speak highly enough of them. From the nurses to the receptionists, there were smiles, kindness and reassurance everywhere.
Mum spent her final week on the inpatient ward. Seeing her in her own room and knowing she had her own space brought me comfort. It was the little things that stood out: she had her own cupboard, an air freshener and a TV. It felt like the right place for her to be.
LOROS didn't just look after Mum; they looked after us too. We had a little room where we could make ourselves at home for however long we needed to be there. We could get some sleep, take turns staying with Mum and know we were always close by. Whenever we visited, the nurses would ask if we wanted a cup of coffee or whether we were comfortable. Mum was always worried about us, so knowing we were being looked after reassured her too.
Before this, I was naïve about death. I thought when you die, you die. I didn’t understand or anticipate the dying process, and I saw things during that time that I never thought I would see. What I will always remember is how the nurses continued to care for Mum right until the end.
Even when she could no longer respond, they treated her as though she was awake and aware. The level of care never changed. One thing Mum always wanted was to keep her dignity, and LOROS made sure she did.
Even after she died, that kindness continued. We were given knitted hearts to keep, which was such a simple gesture but meant so much to us. After seeing first-hand exactly what happens at LOROS, I understand how special the place is. They provide that level of care every single day. It’s how you would want someone you love to be cared for.
One of the memories I treasure most is something very simple. Mum had struggled to eat for around 12 months, but every day she would have a yoghurt. I went to see her one day and had a good two hours with her, and it was the first time that week she hadn’t spilt yoghurt all over herself. She was so proud! We had a laugh and a joke about it. Before she was ill, I’d also taken Mum to Liverpool. During that visit, Liverpool came on the TV and she remembered our trip.
I was the last person to see my mum alive. When it was time for me to leave, I kissed her goodbye and told her I loved her. Those are moments I’ll carry with me forever.
Taking part in Run Leicester is my way of saying thank you to LOROS. When I learned about the financial pressures the Hospice faces, it really upset me. The thought that somebody could be in the same position as my mum and potentially not receive the same care because of money is incredibly difficult. That should never have to be a concern.
I know I can’t solve everything, but if I can contribute something as a thank you for everything LOROS did for Mum and our family, then that means a lot to me. This will be a charity close to my heart forever.
Before Mum died, I told her I was going to run for LOROS. She smiled at me and said, “I am proud of you.” That’s something I’ll be carrying with me for every one of those 13.1 miles.
This challenge has another personal meaning for me too. I’ve struggled with my mental health over the years and, at one point, I reached 22 stone. I managed to turn things around, lost eight stone and started running. Running made me better.
Some of Mum’s final words to me were that I needed to continue being the person I am today. She wanted me to keep fit, keep running and continue supporting my mental health. That has given me another reason to do this.
This will be my first official half marathon. I’ve trained on my own, but I’ve never done a properly timed half marathon event before, so this will be my first go. David, my friend, completed the Run Leicester 10K last year and has helped me set all of this up. We’ve even had special running vests made in memory of Mum. I’m really looking forward to standing on that start line with Amanda, David, Andy, Jack and Steve.
I’ve had so much self-doubt over the years, so being able to achieve something like this will make me incredibly proud. Running a half marathon is difficult. You must be mentally strong as well as physically strong and completing it will show me just how far I’ve come.
We initially set ourselves a fundraising target of £1,000, but ultimately, we want to raise as much as we possibly can for LOROS.
When things get tough during the race, I know Mum will be with me, pushing us along. And when I cross that finish line, I’ll have a little word with her. “I told you I’d do it.”
I know she’ll be proud. And for me, it’s a chance to give something back to the people who did so much for my mum when she needed them most."
There is still time to sign up to run for LOROS at the Run Leicester Festival! Sign up before 11th September to secure your place at loros.co.uk/runleicester 🎽
