Hospice Volunteer cycles from London to Paris to support patients care

Debbie Whitfield, from Cambridge, has been a volunteer for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity since 2023. She kindly volunteers in the Bistro and on the main reception at the Hospice.

She and her partner, Seamus Doherty, have signed up to cycle from London to Paris in July 2026, for the Charity. Debbie shared her connection to hospice care:

“In October 2014 my mother passed away in a hospice in London. She had spent the previous five months seriously ill in a large London hospital, being looked after by staff who were caring but under stress.

The hospice care felt much more relaxed and directly focused on my mum’s needs. Her friends and family were able to visit her in a caring environment. She died feeling loved.”

She continued with her experience of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity:

“In 2019 we regularly visited my next door neighbour who was receiving end of life care at the Inpatient Unit at Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge. Another dear friend of mine received Hospice at Home care from the Charity at the end of his life in 2022.”

Debbie explained more about her motivation for volunteering at the Hospice:

“In 2023 I wanted to give something back. I felt working as a volunteer at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity was a way to remember my mum and my friends who had received hospice support.

I learnt that as well as Inpatient hospice care and Hospice at Home, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity also provided Living Well Services for those patients living with life-limiting conditions, all free of charge. Care and support also extended to patients’ families to help them through challenging times in their lives. I wanted to help in the provision of all these services to patients and their families across Cambridgeshire.

As part of my volunteering, I saw first hand the difference that the Charity makes to people, whether they are Inpatients or friends and family. It is a joyful and celebratory place to be and I want to help this vital resource to continue.”

Debbie added why she signed up for the London to Paris Cycle challenge:

“Myself and my partner are now both retired and 2026 is a significant year for us. Although we are both currently well, we have friends and family who have life threatening conditions that will require end of life and palliative care. We would want them to receive that care in a hospice. We also remember the friends and family who have passed in recent years.

When an email arrived [about the London to Paris Cycle Challenge] from Arthur Rank Hospice Charity we thought, what a better way to celebrate those family and friends – than by raising money for this fantastic local Charity, by doing an activity we both enjoy – cycling the 271 miles from London to Paris! It all seems very daunting – I have never ridden that far before, but my personal concerns are small when I think about the wonderful services provided locally by this fantastic charity.

October was a terrible month for the Charity with the announcement that Cambridge University Hospital (CUH) at Addenbrookes Hospital will be withdrawing over £800,000 funding from 2026. In these dark days fundraising takes on an even more important aspect. I want to raise at least £2,300 for the Charity but hopefully much more.

My partner and I are also planning some other fundraising events to support the cycling challenge – details yet to be finalised (watch this space!). Please support me if you can by sponsoring my challenge.”

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If you are able to support Debbie please visit her sponsorship page: https://arhclondontoparis26.enthuse.com/pf/debbie-whitfield