Pair have a bright idea for giving back to hospice
Reporter THE widow and daughter of a police officer who lost his battle with cancer will take on a colourful event in his memory.
PC Gavin “Gav” Smith was a member of the Durham Constabulary team who appeared in the Channel 5 show Police Interceptors.
Sadly, the 34-year-old, of Bishop Auckland, died last February after fighting cancer, and was given a guard of honour at his funeral at Durham Cathedral.
Since his death, his wife, Kezi, and their five-year-old daughter, Tilly, have received support from the Butterwick Hospice, which has a facility in Bishop Auckland.
“After my husband died, a friend put me in touch with the Butterwick and Tilly ended up with a counsellor from the family support team,” she said.
“At the time, she was really struggling with her emotions and it was a huge source of support to me to understand that children express grief in different ways.” When Gav became ill, the family initially wanted him to go into a hospice but there wasn’t a place for him at the time, so he died at home, surrounded by his family.
“In the end that was right for him, but it’s another thing that plays on my mind – that if there had been more funding for the hospice, more places would be available,” Kezi said.
Now, Kezi wants to repay the Butterwick for the “fantastic support” it has given them.
The pair will start and take part in the Rainbow Dash – a 5k obstacle race through Hamsterley Forest that covers competitors in coloured powder.
The forest also holds special memories for the family as they loved to visit when Gav was alive and there is a bench in his memory there.
Kezi added: “I know from speaking to staff how much it costs to run the hospice and I wan to do whatever I can to help.
“Apart from anything else, the activities, like the Rainbow Dash, are just great fun.”
Kezi has already raised money for the Butterwick by completing a coast-to-coast bike ride and taking part in a fun day at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club.
A Police Interceptors tea at Hardwick Hotel, near Sedgefield, also raised £8,803.
The Rainbow Dash takes place between 11am and 3pm on June 24 and participants can run, jog or stroll.
To register, go to www.butterwick.org.uk/events/rainbowdash.