Tracey Fowler, 53, from Yeadon, has signed up for the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Leeds, a night-time walking event starting from the University of Leeds on Saturday, October 10. The trek comes just months after her husband, Bob Fowler, died in June 2026 at the age of 74 following a stage four cancer diagnosis in October 2025. Bob spent his final months at home, supported by community nurse specialist Nicola from Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice's team, fulfilling his wish to stay in familiar surroundings.
A homebird's final wish
Bob had always been a homebird and wanted to remain at home alongside Tracey. With Nicola's support, he was able to end his life with dignity, avoiding the pressure of hospital or hospice admission. Tracey, who works as a manager in health and social care supporting people with complex needs, said: “Bob was absolutely a homebird and was happy as long as he could be at home. All he wanted was to be at home with me.
“The care from Nicola enabled Bob to remain at home with dignity and not feel pressured to go into hospital or a hospice. The support at home allowed Bob to end his life in a dignified way. I'll be forever grateful for what Sue Ryder did.”
New route with a dedication area
This year's Starlight Hike offers participants a brand-new 5km or 10km route heading towards Headingley. For the first time in more than five years, the path will bypass the hospice's gardens, creating a peaceful dedication area where walkers can pause, reflect, and remember loved ones.
Tracey has already raised more than £500 for the charity and hopes her efforts will help ensure other local families receive the same dedicated support. She commented: “When somebody dies who's very close to you, you worry that people will forget them.
“I signed up because I wanted to do as much as I could to keep Bob's memory alive and give something back to Sue Ryder at the same time. The Starlight Hike appealed to me because it's around the city and not a hike up Ben Nevis that I could never achieve. It was something that felt very achievable but also had an element of fun.”
Walking with family and friends
Tracey will be joined on the walk by her daughter-in-law Claire and her close friend Miriam, a nurse who stayed by her side during Bob's final days. She added: “Miriam is a nurse, and she stayed with me every night during the last week when Bob was dying, while also going to her full-time job as a nurse.
“During the walk, I’ll think about the last few weeks with Bob, as they are still quite raw. I’ll be thinking about the support we received, especially the visits we had from Nicola at Sue Ryder. Bob and I loved walking, and whenever we went abroad, we'd walk for miles. I'll be remembering the happy times we shared together.”
Event details and fundraising
Standard entry tickets for the walk start from £20 per adult, which includes a t-shirt and a medal at the finish line. Teams of five or more can receive a 20% discount using the code TEAM20, with participants encouraged to raise a suggested £100 in sponsorship. To find out more and to sign up, visit sueryder.org/StarlightLeeds. To support Tracey’s fundraising, visit her JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/tracey-fowler-1.
