A TEENAGER from Cirencester will be undertaking a series of challenges, including a skydive, in memory of her grandmother who died of breast cancer last year.
Maddy Di Liso, 17, who grew up in Cirencester and now lives in Witney, was devastated after the death of her grandmother Wendy Harrison on December 22, just before Christmas last year.
Wendy, 72, a Cirencester resident, was admitted to Cheltenham General Hospital on December 7. She and her family discovered she had late stages of cancer and there was nothing doctors could do.
Maddy said: “All the staff were amazing, they moved her to the Knightsbridge ward where they made her more comfortable and gave us the privacy that we needed.
“The Palliative care team were very supportive as were all the nurses, they checked up on us regularly and supported us through it all.
“Sadly on December 22, Wendy took her last breath. It was more than heart-breaking, my family and I had spent those precious couple of weeks being by her side and hoping for a miracle to happen.
“I was lost beyond repair, or so I thought. Eventually the real grief kicked in once the funeral had ended.”
Maddy, who works as a recruitment assistant at a charity providing domiciliary care, will be starting a project entitled ‘Thank You’.
Her project involves a series of challenging events to raise money for new equipment at Cheltenham General Hospital and for Cancer Research UK.
She said: “I always wanted to thank the nurses but I couldn’t bring myself to go back.
(Wendy Harrison, left, and Maddy Di Liso, centre, during prom)
“I am in the process of launching this project to bring awareness and support to people who have lost loved ones and show them that they aren’t alone.”
Paying tribute to her grandmother, she said: “My grandparents played a huge part in my upbringing and throughout my life, they are both my best friends and would do anything for anyone. I admired their love for each other and everyone else.
“Though my grandmother never saw me start my apprenticeship in January, I’m doing well. I’m looking forward to starting caring for people and I know she would be proud.
“I also think it’s time to say thank you, although the words aren’t enough.”
To support Maddy, go to: www.gofundme.com/a-tandem-jump-for-wendy-harrison
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