Man running for Rennie Grove Peace after losing two partners

James Power says that Rennie Grove Peace is a place “I never thought I would have to go”, but tragic circumstances meant he had to be a regular visitor twice.

In 2011, his girlfriend, Natalie, was diagnosed with stomach cancer and the couple had to postpone their Italian wedding to start treatment immediately.

Later that year, they decided to get married in Watford before Natalie went into hospital to have here stomach completely removed the next day.

After further operations, chemotherapy, and other treatment, she was admitted to Peace Hospice for 24-hour care in 2012.

James said: “During this stay she was so well looked after by the wonderful staff.

“Thanks to their kind and expert care, Natalie became stable which meant she could achieve her wish of going back to her parents’ house for her final weeks.”

James and Natalie. (Image: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care)

Natalie died on September 21, 2012, at the age of 33.

Years later, in 2015, James met Nicky and they began building a life together. She was a “fit and healthy” 46-year-old who loved running and the couple ran a half-marathon together in 2018.

However, she started to develop a cough and a stitch in her side when she ran.

“She went to see her doctor and after a number of tests she was diagnosed with lung cancer," James explained.

"We were devastated when doctors told us no treatment was available as it was already stage 4 at the point of diagnosis.

James running his own half marathon during the pandemic. (Image: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care)

“We were told it was just a case of keeping her as comfortable as possible.”

Nicky had to pull out of the Brighton Half Marathon in 2019, but went in a wheelchair and using breathing apparatus to cheer on her best friend Debbie.

She told James he could have run it in her place, and he promised that he would in 2020, which he did.

After hearing about the care Natalie had received at Peace Hospice, “there was only one place she wanted to be cared for,” James said.

“Her family and I also knew it was the best place for her to be. On March 2, 2019, Nicky was admitted to Peace Hospice for end-of-life care.

James and Nicky. (Image: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care)

"Once again I was back in this place that I had never thought I’d need to go to. And now I was there for the second time.

“The care, attention, love and respect that every member of staff showed Nicky was outstanding, as it had been with Natalie.”

Nicky died on three days after being admitted, at the aged of 47.

James with family and friends at the 2020 Brighton Half Marathon (Image: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care)

It has now become an annual tradition for James to run the Brighton Half Marathon with friends and family.

This year, he has rounded up a group of 17 runners to take part in the event, on Sunday February 25, with the aim of raising £1,500 for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

To sponsor James and his team, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-power-1704748890938.