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A woman is set to celebrate her mum’s life by taking on a six-mile charity walk.
Naomi Eldridge, from Ramsgate, has put her name down to take part in Pilgrims Hospices’ A Night to Shine in memory of her mum, Joyce Waring.
Joyce, who had chronic pulmonary disease, was cared for at the Thanet hospice earlier this year.
Born in Staffordshire, Joyce relocated to the seaside after meeting Naomi’s dad Cliff – first to Margate, and then to Ramsgate.
Naomi said: “My mum was a loving person, she was loyal and would do anything for anyone.
“She enjoyed boot fairs, online bingo and charity shopping – she loved a bargain.
“Mum was also a huge animal lover, she especially loved cats.
“She loved a good laugh and would try her best to tell jokes, but would get the punch line wrong – which always made us laugh more than the joke would have done.
“I really miss my mum. She wasn’t just my mum; she was my best friend who I could talk to about anything and everything.”
Joyce was in Pilgrims’ care to help manage her illness.
Naomi added: “Mum said this was the first time in a long time that she’d felt understood; she was grateful for the help Pilgrims gave her.
“She made friends with the nurses and care teams and felt safe.
“Pilgrims helped us to understand mum’s symptoms and breathing attacks so that we could help her as best we could.”
Aged 71, Joyce died on June 9.
“Since mum’s passing, Pilgrims has continued to provide us with help and support,” Naomi said.
“I’ve had counselling to help me through this heartbreaking time.”
Along with husband Ben, she will take on the sponsored walk in Broadstairs on Saturday, September 22.
You can sponsor Naomi by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/naomi-eldridge.
To sign up for A Night to Shine in Ashford, Canterbury or Broadstairs – choosing a three or six-mile walk – go to the Pilgrims Hospices website.
Entry, which includes a T-shirt, torch, medal and memory lantern, is £15 for adults and £12 for under 18s, and under 3s go free.