Hannah Brazier, a 32-year-old resident of Herne Bay, is preparing to take on the London Marathon this April in a heartfelt tribute to her late brother, Kyran Brazier. Kyran, who sadly passed away at the age of 36 in September 2024, spent his final week under the compassionate care of Pilgrims Hospices after being diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer.
Inspired by Exceptional Care
Hannah's decision to run the marathon stems from the overwhelmingly positive experience her family had with Pilgrims Hospices during Kyran's stay at their Canterbury facility. She recalls the exceptional care provided by staff and volunteers, which was filled with comfort, dignity, and compassion. "Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every need was met with kindness, patience, and warmth," Hannah said.
Kyran found joy in the delicious meals served to him, the friendly jokes he shared with everyone, and the therapeutic massages that helped ease his pain. "Knowing he was so well cared for brought our family a great sense of peace," Hannah added, highlighting how the hospice's support extended beyond just medical care to encompass emotional and practical assistance for the entire family.
Fundraising for a Cause Close to the Heart
Motivated to give back and express her gratitude, Hannah signed up to run the London Marathon in 2026 as part of Team Pilgrims. With the unwavering support of family and friends, she has already raised more than £2,000 in sponsorship. With three months still remaining until the event, she is hopeful of increasing this total significantly.
"Running the London Marathon in Kyran's memory is an honour, and a chance to give something back to the organisation that gave so much to us when we needed it most," Hannah explained. She emphasised that Pilgrims Hospices offered not just care for her brother but also unwavering support for the whole family, welcoming them at any hour and providing toys for Kyran's children during visits.
A Mission to Support Dignified End-of-Life Care
Through her fundraising efforts, Hannah aims to help ensure that everyone has access to dignified end-of-life care in a comfortable setting with excellent support. She reflected on how her experience has shown her the vital importance of allowing people to die with dignity, compassion, and comfort. "I want to help make this level of care available to all families who may need it," she stated, noting that the hospice became affectionately known as the "house-pital" to Kyran's children because it felt like a second home.
How You Can Get Involved
While Pilgrims Hospices' charity places for the London Marathon 2026 are now full, the organisation encourages individuals who have secured a ballot place to join Team Pilgrims and fundraise on their behalf. Those interested can contact the fundraising team via email or telephone for more information.
Inspired by Hannah's story, members of the public can also explore other ways to support Pilgrims Hospices by participating in events or challenges. The charity provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Their services include support in patients' homes, in the community, and at their three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, along with a 24-hour advice line.
