Olympic torchbearer gives special gift to Durham hospice

The 89-year-old widower lost his wife and soul-mate Joan to cancer in March 2010, when she died peacefully at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.

He credits the team at the Merryoaks-based charity for keeping him going in the years that have followed.

It was the hospice which nominated Mr Allday to take part in the Olympic torch relay prior to the 2012 London games and so he is now donating his replica torch to St Cuthbert’s.

His leg of the relay took him through part of nearby Sniperley.

He said: “I owe the hospice so very much.

“They were there for me when I needed picking back up.

“If it hadn’t been for them I would have never been an Olympic torchbearer, so it’s only right that they have it now.

“It has always been my wish to leave it to them but doing it now while I can have the memories from handing it over means everything to me.”

Mr Allday, from Newton Hall, Durham, was so inspired by the care and love he received at the hospice after losing his wife that he set about fundraising and, also, volunteered for the charity for five years

Speaking of his experience at St Cuthbert’s, he said: “I never imagined a life without Joan. We were married for 56 years.

“The day she was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus we came home from the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, and stood in the middle of our lounge together in silence.

“It was Christmas Eve and the snow fell against our windows. We were heartbroken.”

“As Joan grew weaker, she knew that time was running out and she didn’t want to die in a hospital.

“She said: ‘I want to go to St Cuthbert’s.”

Despite his initial anxiety at the move, from late February 2010, he saw the calming effect it had on his ailing wife.

“It was warm and welcoming, and the staff were so patient and caring.

“Joan was never in pain. We sat together on the veranda off her room and watched squirrels and birds play in the gardens.

“She whispered: ‘I’m next door to heaven here. The staff are angels’.”

Son Stephen managed to travel back from Australia and sat with his father at his mother’s bedside as she passed away.

“Losing Joan was like losing a part of me. I really was lost without her. Everyone at St Cuthbert’s Hospice were there to pick up the pieces.

"I was so grateful they’d been there for Joan’s final days and they were there for me too.

"Every week after, I visited so I could feel close to Joan. They became like an extended family, I’d have fallen apart without them.”

“I needed to keep busy so as well as volunteering for them I decided to raise some money to help to repay the love and support they gave Joan and me. In 2011, I flew to Australia and Steven and I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

"I was 79 at the time and it raised £1,671.

"As I watched the sunset from 134 metres above the city, I knew Joan would have been so proud of me.”

The torch was accepted by to the longest serving member of staff at St Cuthbert’s Hospice Living Well Centre, healthcare assistant Rachel Eddy, who has worked at the charity for 21 years.

Ken added: “Joan wouldn’t have believed that I would go on to become an Olympic Torchbearer in 2012.

"It was an amazing honour to represent St Cuthbert’s Hospice that day.

"It’s a special place and I hold them all dear to my heart.

"In all the years I’ve volunteered I’ve never heard a bad word about the place, no cross words or arguments.

"They’re wonderful people.

"They got me through the most difficult time of my life.

"For that, I’m forever grateful. They’ll always have such a big place in my heart.”

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