A PATIENT was able to tick off two important events off his bucket list - including walking his daughter down the aisle - thanks to the compassionate care of Fair Havens hospice in Southend.

Ray Mailley, 62, from Prittlewell, who is living with lung cancer, got to enjoy a ride on a steam train with his wife Jane and do the honours at his daughter Lisa’s wedding.

Now his family are participating in Havens Hospices’ annual walking fundraiser this September to say thank you for helping their dad.

Ray was initially admitted to the hospice in July to get his pain medication under control.

He was taking a variety of medication prescribed by various consultants which was causing dizziness and hallucinations.

It was thanks to the hospice managing his pain that Ray was able to go on the trip.

In early August, Ray was admitted again to Fair Havens after his condition deteriorated.

The hospice stabilised Ray’s condition for him to attend Lisa’s special day.

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Ray’s daughter Kat Mailley, 34, along with her husband, two children, sisters, brother in laws and nephew will be walking ten miles on a route from Little Havens in Thundersley to Fair Havens in Prittlewell and back as part of the charity’s Havens to Havens Walk event on September 5.

The family wish to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity.

Lisa said: “To say that I’m thankful to Havens Hospice for what they have done for not just our dad but also our mum, is an understatement.

"We as a family will be eternally grateful for everything they have done for Dad. The fact that he got to attend my wedding and that he and my mum were able to escort me to my new husband is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Kat says the family all agreed to participate in Havens to Havens together following the phenomenal care from Fair Havens.

She said: “We just knew that we needed to do something to support the charity – we have all supported each other throughout the last three years since his diagnosis, so this is something we can all do together and use our networks of friends to raise money for such an amazing cause.”

After cancelling last year’s event due to the pandemic, the charity’s 13th Havens to Havens Walk, sponsored by Create 98, will see families and friends come together to fundraise for its specialist palliative nursing and supportive care.

Entry for the walk is just £15 per adult, £5 per child or £35 per family, two adults and two children.

For information on the event and to register, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/havenstohavens