Hugh's determined to raise as much money as possible to support Marie Curie Nurses, with a particular focus on providing upwards of 1000 hours of nursing care for nurses like Wendy and Sarah, two nursing ambassadors based in Sussex. They are currently part of a team which provides more than 11,000 hours of nursing care in Sussex alone.

Sarah, Wendy and Hugh

What Marie Curie means to Sarah Richardson:

I am very proud to say that I am a Marie Curie nurse as I feel very strongly about allowing people the choice to die at home, if that is their wish.

When I visit a patient and their family I am welcomed into their homes and made to feel like a member of the family, I feel very privileged to be able to do this, it's amazing to see how families pull together to look after a loved one at such a difficult time.

I feel a great sense of achievement when I leave a patients home knowing that I have looked after their needs and made them as comfortable as possible. I also gain great satisfaction from supporting my patient's family, who at times just need to talk to someone who listens, as they can feel very isolated and alone, sometimes just being there to give relatives a well needed break is so important. Being a Marie Curie nurse is a huge part of me and contributes to the fulfilment I feel in my life.

What Marie Curie means to Wendy Carpenter:

To work as part of a team that provides holistic care to patients in their own homes and to know that what you say and do may be the last thing that they feel or hear. Being a Marie Curie Nurse is a very emotional experience for me, I am able to offer choices and advice which allows me to develop a special relationship with my patients and their families and to ensure that the end of the patient's life is as comfortable as possible.

Marie Curie gives more terminally ill patients the choice to die at home, surrounded by their families. This year alone Marie Curie Cancer Care will provide care for more than 25,000 people in the UK. However the demand for their services increases each year and for every family they help, there is another that they can't. Every hour of a nurse's time costs the charity £20. With your support, we can ensure Sussex has all the Wendy's and Sarah's it needs.

Marie Curie mainly care for people with cancer but they also care for people with other life limiting illnesses. Their services are always free of charge to patients and their families. The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care for patients in their own homes.

Established in 1948, they now have nine hospices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and two centres for palliative care research. They also run the world-renowned Marie Curie Research Institute, which investigates the causes and treatments of cancer.

Every minute of every day, someone is being cared for by a Marie Curie Nurse or Healthcare Assistant. They make it possible for someone to live their last days at home, rather than go into hospital.

Hugh has fortunately not been closely affected by this dreaded disease, but after extensive research, he decided that Marie Curie was an exceptionally worthwhile cause and efficiently run organisation.

For further information about Marie Curie, please visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk