Ultramarathon challenge helps family to say thank you

Richard spent his final days in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) in October 2023, and his family has praised the staff’s efforts to provide personalised and comforting care before he died.

George, Richard’s son, described the lasting impact he had on both his family and those around him: ​“Benjamin and I remember him extremely fondly as a dad who would always be part of the fun. 

“Whether that involved being dragged around the sea on a banana boat, cheering for us on the touchline of a rugby or football match or spinning himself around the dancefloor to make us laugh, he always knew how to bring joy to our lives. 

“He lived for his devoted wife, Julie, and his family and would do anything and everything in his power to spend time with us making memories.”

Richard’s caring nature extended beyond his immediate family to his local community. As a property developer, Richard witnessed people feeling isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While working on a project near to a church, he noticed the church’s priest was struggling, so he decided to send an uplifting message to the man: a hamper with the message ​“You are never alone”.

George said: ​“This is just one of many memories that exemplifies the efforts he put into caring for those around him. Following our dad’s passing, the church held a service in his memory, specifically focused on the importance of generosity and caring for others.

“After the service, the priest reached out to our family to express how much strength dad’s act of kindness had given him during an extremely low and isolated time for us all.”

Similarly, after he died, Richard’s family received a swathe of kind messages from friends acknowledging how he had impacted their lives.

George Rose, on his father, Richard 

“These messages were filled with amazing stories of him, whether around a dinner table, outside a pub or brightening up a work meeting. Dad will always be remembered as someone who always brought sunshine.”

Richard spent time in and out of hospital in the final year of his life and he died at the Royal Free Hospital. The care he received while in hospital prompted Richard’s family to raise money for the Royal Free Hospital.

“While the care given to my dad was exceptional, it was the support given to our family that encouraged us to raise money for the ICU in his memory,” George explained. 

“At a time when we were confused, hurting and in every family’s worst nightmare, the staff in the ICU were amazing. We will never forget their efforts to comfort us and the amazing work of all the doctors and nurses in doing everything they could for our dad.”

George praised the Royal Free Hospital’s staff for curating a personalised approach to his care, even playing his favourite songs in his hospital room.

He said: ​“The nurse asked us a question that initially took us by surprise – ​‘What music does Richard like?’. We looked at each other slightly bewildered and gave a few options.

“The nurse explained that she liked to play Richard’s favourite music as, although he may not be responsive, she wanted to ensure that he was as comfortable as possible. This showed a level of care that went beyond medicine and science, epitomising the Royal Free Hospital ICU’s commitment to going above and beyond.

“It was extremely comforting for our family to know that he was in the hands of staff who cared for him as an individual and not just another patient.”

Richard’s family were keen to continue his legacy by raising money to help support the care other patients will receive at the Royal Free Hospital. 

George explained: ​“We know that he would have also wanted to raise money in their honour, as he spent a lot of time in the Royal Free Hospital in his final months and would have felt extraordinary amounts of gratitude towards the level of their care in his final days.”

Richard’s other son, Benjamin, took on the incredible challenge of running 100km in an ultramarathon earlier this year. He completed the impressive feat and raised £11,566.49.

George said: ​“To Benjamin, it was clear throughout our dad’s life that no matter the challenges that came his way, whether with work or ill-health, he continued his life with never-ending positivity, shining brightly on anyone he touched.

“The ultramarathon symbolised an extreme challenge, and getting through it with a smile on his face was symbolic of the way our dad lived his life.”