A widow is preparing to walk 55km in memory of her husband - one year after first taking on the challenge while he was receiving end-of-life care.

Lucie Moxham, from Littlestone, New Romney, is set to lace up her walking boots once again next month raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.

Last year, the 37-year-old completed part of the Pilgrims Way Challenge just days after her husband, Grayham, was admitted to the charity’s Ashford hospice. Despite the emotional toll, Lucie raised an impressive £2,723.25.

Grayham was diagnosed with myeloma - a form of blood cancer - in November 2017. Over the following years, he underwent a range of treatments before being referred to Pilgrims Hospices for ongoing support.

As the 71-year-old’s illness progressed, the charity’s team provided regular home visits, helping to manage his pain and ensure his comfort.

Lucie said: “When things got tough, Pilgrims staff would visit Grayham at home, checking on his physical and mental health and wellbeing and making sure his pain levels were managed to ensure a good quality of life.

“As Grayham knew that his illness was incurable, he expressed his wish to be admitted to Pilgrims ‘when the time came’, as he always used to say that ‘in hospitals, staff are trained to keep people alive’, but at Pilgrims, you can go peacefully."

His final wish was granted in June 2024, when he was admitted to the hospice after his liver began to fail.

Lucie had already registered for the 55km Pilgrims Way Challenge taking place that month. On the day, she completed more than half of the route before heading to the hospice.

She said: “To spend time with him, his daughter, Chloe, and his newborn grandson, Fred, I finished at the 35km mark and made my way to the hospice to see them all later that afternoon. I’m pleased to say that, thanks to a tremendous amount of support from people from all walks of life, I raised £2,723.25.”

Now preparing to complete the full 55km from Dover to Wye via Canterbury on June 21, Lucie is once again walking in his memory - this time aiming to raise even more. She has already received more than £800 toward her goal.

She added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sponsored me; all donations, no matter how big or small, really make a difference. I know the wonderful work Pilgrims do, so anything I can do to help them keep providing their vital services will mean that people can continue benefiting from their expertise in the future.

“I honestly don’t know what we would have done or how we would have coped without the help of Pilgrims, but one thing is for sure – without them, Grayham’s wish of going peacefully would not have been fulfilled… So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for all you have done and are doing for many others every day.”

You can follow Lucie’s fundraising efforts on her JustGiving page.