Hospice supporter raises funds in multiple ways in memory of his parents

Anthony Rayment, from Suffolk, is a fond supporter of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. Among other ways of supporting, he and his wife Jo, have supported the Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme since 2020 (their balanced trees on top of their Land Rover has caused many a double take and raised smiles in Cambridgeshire). Anthony kindly shared his motivations for supporting the Charity:

“Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supported both my mum and dad, when they were living with cancer and at the end of their lives.

My mum, Mary, was a patient at the old Arthur Rank Hospice building at Brookfields off Mill Road in Cambridge, then she was one of the first patients in the new building when it opened at Shelford Bottom in 2016.

The Hospice environment, at the Inpatient Unit, meant that my brother and I could stay over night with her. Also, there were lots of things in place to take away extra stress, such as being able to cook for ourselves or use the Bistro, so we could concentrate on precious time left with them. Despite knowing what is coming, the Hospice always felt bright and homely.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity gave my mum the very best possible end of life care. Sadly, cancer at the third attempt, took her from us in 2018.

More recently, the Charity’s Hospice at Home Team and the clinical team at the Inpatient Unit gave the same care for my dad, Edward, in his last months. For my very active dad, Hospice at Home care was perfect. Every nurse enjoyed his company, from hearing about the items he made and listening to his stories. When the nurses noticed his sudden turn in health, thankfully, the Inpatient Unit had a bed available for him when he needed it. In the same day, his pain was relieved and he had the most comfortable final three nights we could have wished for.

I cannot explain how losing both parents to such aggressive cancers feels. For my mum and dad being comfortable and pain-free at the end is all we could wish for and that is exactly what the staff and volunteers at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity does and more – with care and dignity.

Since losing mum, dad donated to have a leaf displayed on the memory tree at the Hospice, collecting all three coloured leaves (bronze, silver and gold), multiple times. We plan to have both names next year.

We have attended the Light up a Life service each year and donated to the appeal. We have attended the Sunflower Memories services and donated to have a sunflower displayed in the Hospice Garden in their memory.

We have taken part in the Star Shine Night Walk in the summer and collected Christmas Trees for the Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme each January.

We donate to the Retail Hub and normally purchase something too. We have bought Arthur Rank Hospice Christmas cards along with a Christmas pudding each year.

Saturday breakfast at the Bistro is a lovely treat now and again. Why go to Costa when you can grab a coffee or tea at the light and airy Bistro at the Hospice? Every time we visit the Hospice or the Bistro, everyone is so lovely.

This year I have also taken part in a Car Rally – with the Arthur Rank Hospice Logo proudly displayed on my hired rally car. Competing in car rallying is a school boy dream. Since my mum passed away, I have been slowly getting into the sport with the help and support of Langley Park Rally School (the Rally School have been amazing through everything life has thrown at me). My mum’s death was harsh, life is short. I now tell everyone this, life is short, do things while you can.

You can see Anthony at the Car Rally HERE. 

My dad got to watch some of my training action from onboard footage and other video footage. Unfortunately, he never got to watch me live in action or had the opportunity for me to drive him at a training session. In November 2026 I raced in loving memory of my parents, proudly promoting Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and gaining donations towards my Cambridge Half Marathon sponsorship, to support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advancing serious illness and those who need end of life care. It was an amazing weekend and I am sure mum and dad were watching over me, being proud that I am living out my own dream. I plan to compete in more events by the end of this year, developing my skill before taking in bigger vehicles and bigger events. Whatever I do the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity logo will always be with me.

Supporting a Charity that has supported yourself and family is a great healer and gives a sense of wellbeing. Raising money and making more people aware of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is fantastic. But these actions have also helped me with grieving and mental wellbeing.

The Charity gives outstanding, quality care to patients and their families in such difficult but precious times and I will never tire from praising them or supporting them.”

---

If you would like to support Anthony, please visit his sponsorship page: https://arhc.enthuse.com/pf/anthony-rayment-fdf38