Chaos, Kindness, and a Cameo by the PM: Our Race Across Northumberland!

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This time last week, six teams were frantically racing to reach the final checkpoint of a two-day, low-budget adventure race across Northumberland and Newcastle, all in aid of Hospice Ethiopia UK.

Day 1 kicked off in Ponteland, where teams lined up in the park armed with nothing but their backpacks, paper maps (dated 1991!), green bandanas and a strict £20 daily cash budget. At 9:23am they were off, sprinting in different directions to locate the first checkpoint in Morpeth. The strategies differed from the get go with one team hopping straight onto a local bus, while another managed to hitch a ride in a red Porsche. By the time everyone reached Morpeth, a 1 hour and 54 minute gap had already opened between first and sixth place.

From Morpeth’s flower clock, teams were sent east to Northumberland’s iconic coastline. Clues guided them to precise checkpoints including the Ferryman’s Hut in Alnmouth, Warkworth Castle, and the famous fish and chip steps in Seahouses. Along the way, two teams successfully completed a challenge to win a Newcastle Brown Ale, while three teams fully immersed themselves in the local culture, perfecting phrases like “Gan canny on the road bonny lasses.”

By 5:00 PM, everyone had made it to the campsite in Longhoughton. Tents were pitched, and stories were shared over some questionable low-budget dinners. The “Thompson Old Timers” took the crown for the most unusual meal with their Toblerone sandwiches—now appropriately dubbed “a Northern pain au chocolat.”

On Sunday, the madness reset at 10:00am. One lucky team managed to hitch a lift right outside the campsite with a friendly couple who dropped them directly at Barter Books in Alnwick, the first checkpoint of the day. With its open fires and model trains passing overhead, this quirky bookshop was the perfect place to start the day’s adventures. Teams then journeyed through Rothbury before beginning their final descent into Newcastle City Centre, collecting extra points along the way. One challenge required buying the strangest item possible from a charity shop. Two teams unknowingly bought the matching set of a Winnie the Pooh plant pots collection. However, the ultimate winners, “Wrong Direction,” salvaged a “Howay the Lads” top for just 50p, taking maximum points for cultural relevance and budget-savviness.

As the teams closed in on the finish line, dashing between Jesmond Dene waterfall, Ouseburn Farm, and the Free Trade Inn – they were given one final task. Every team had been handed two bottles of beer that morning; to cross the finish line, they had to find a stranger to help open them and share the drink!

The first proof photo came through from “Wrong Direction,” who were first to make it across the line at the RedHouse pub. Ten minutes later, “The Jess & Kanchen Situation” arrived waving their arms in the air before collapsing onto the pavement after a brutal final sprint down the Quayside, where they had been battling market punters and limping Great North Runners. Over the next hour and a half, the rest of the pack rolled in, each with their own tales to tell.

As if the weekend hadn’t featured enough chaos, we then realised we were sharing the pub with the Prime Minister! He politely agreed to a picture and asked all about our weekend antics and the incredible cause we were supporting.

Alice, Andy, and Jess

A message from trustee Alice: 

A massive, heartfelt thank you! Honestly, by Sunday evening I could hardly string a sentence together. I was so overwhelmed with joy (and that was before shaking hands with the PM). I truly couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. The people who threw themselves into this challenge are a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. You made this event everything we hoped for and so much more 💚

To our incredible followers and donors: a huge thank you to everyone who tracked our live updates on Instagram. Your messages and cheers kept the teams going. We have now received 73 donations, bringing our total to £1,922.26 (plus £468.75 in Gift Aid)! We are completely blown away by this community’s generosity. This money is genuinely life-changing. It goes directly to supporting Hospice Ethiopia, a non-government organisation in Addis Ababa. Because of you, their dedicated staff can continue providing essential, free home-based care to ensure that terminally ill individuals can die with dignity and free from pain.

It’s not too late to donate – please visit Just Giving

Successful Jane Austen event!

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On a wonderful summer’s afternoon, our dramatic readings from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility took place at Cromer Hall. The audience were treated to a lively version of this classic novel with a script by long term supporter Margy Seale.

The play was directed by trustee Riel Karmy-Jones, starring a mixture of professional and amateur actors who gave their time for free.

Callum Morgan was in the audience and said, “it was a funny, well-paced take on a much-loved classic in a remarkable setting”.


We are enormously grateful to Dido and Benjie Cabbell Manners for giving over their wonderful home for this event which raised an amazing £2,100 to support the work of Hospice Ethiopia’s nurses. 

August sponsored cycle

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On August 12th, brothers Jamie and Simon Mumford will be saddle up for six days – 12th to 17th August – to tackle the Rebellion Way, a 232-mile bike-packing adventure around Norfolk. Following quiet back roads, byways and cycle paths beneath Norfolk’s big open skies, and tracing the legendary routes of warrior queen Boudicca and rebel leader Robert Kett, it’s a challenge as historic as the cause behind it.

We’re doing this to raise vital funds for Hospice Ethiopia UK – a charity that provides free, compassionate end-of-life care to some of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable people. Hospice Ethiopia trains healthcare workers in pain management, supports community outreach teams in remote areas, and brings counselling and comfort to patients and families who have nowhere else to turn. They receive no government funding and rely entirely on donations.

Every mile we ride, every hill we push through, is a reminder that dignity in death should not be a privilege. With your support, Hospice Ethiopia can reach more patients and families who desperately need care.

Please give whatever you can. No amount is too small, every penny goes directly to Hospice Ethiopia UK. Please donate here.

Jane Austen Event coming soon!

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Our annual Jane Austen event will be held at Cromer Hall on Sunday 2nd August, 3-5pm, by kind permission of Benje and Dido Cabbell Manners. This year’s dramatised readings will be from Austen’s much-loved novel Sense and Sensibility. Cromer Hall is privately owned and was built in a variant of the Gothic Revival style in 1829 and is not usually open to the public. It is an ideal venue, for dramatic readings from this much-loved novel – and the guests will be treated to a sumptuous cream tea along with a themed raffle.

Book your tickets now for this fabulous event at Cromer Hall NR27 9JG.

Tickets cost £25 each: please contact info@hospiceethiopia.org.uk or ring Sue 01263 768699.

Please tell Sue of any special dietary requirements when booking tickets

Patient Story – Ababe

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Ababe is a 60‑year‑old Orthodox Christian woman living with diabetes and breast cancer, first diagnosed six years ago. She was widowed many years ago and has since adopted four children—one preparing for university and three still in school. She has a diploma in accountancy, speaks some English, and previously worked in marketing. She lives in her own traditional house.

When she first noticed a small lump in her right breast, she declined surgery. In recent years she has received several courses of chemotherapy, which left her with neuropathic pain. Despite treatment, the tumour has now broken through the skin and has grown into a large mass involving most of her right breast.

Since receiving care from Hospice Ethiopia’s nurses, her pain has improved significantly with Tramadol 50 mg twice daily and amitriptyline 25 mg at night.

The nurse again raised the possibility of surgery, as the tumour appeared mostly confined to the breast and her insurance would cover the operation. Ababe said she would think about it. She became tearful as she expressed regret about not choosing surgery when it was first offered.

She spoke about her faith—she loves God, prays, attends church, and takes holy water. With no income, she receives support from the Tewolde Medhane Comfort Fund.

She ended by saying, “God gives me the hospice team. I feel like I am their daughter.”

Partnership with Hope Beyond International

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Following our trustees’ visit to Hope Beyond International in Addis Ababa we are delighted to be establishing a new partnership with them. Hospice Ethiopia UK’s mission has always been to promote the provision of palliative care and to relive the suffering of the terminally ill in Ethiopia, and the trustees see this as a way of broadening access to people needing end-of-life care both in Addis Ababa and in some of the regional areas of Ethiopia.

Dr Rediet Gebeyehu who set up this non-government organisation is an oncologist and haematologist working in North Carolina, USA. The in-country team led by Dr Daniel Digafie particularly focuses on providing end of life care in people’s homes.

Patient story – Mahlet

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Mahlet (not her real name) is one of the patients visited by Tim and Sue last October. Mahlet is a 36 year old female patient following the Christian Orthodox religion. She was diagnosed with HIV 15 years ago and 3 years ago was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Surgery was not appropriate, so she was treated with radiotherapy which has left her with colitis and bloody diarrhoea. She was referred to Hospice Ethiopia by the Black Lion Hospital for management of her troublesome symptoms.

She is widowed and lives in a 1 roomed house with her son sharing a communal latrine. She rents her ‘kebele’ house which means it is owned by the local woreda (council). Prior to her illness Mahlet worked as a ‘daily worker’ but is no longer able to work so receives a monthly grant from the Tewolde Madhane Comfort Fund. Due to her poor income, she is entitled to be part of the government’s health insurance scheme, for which she pays a small amount. This entitles her to free basic health care.

Her mood was low and Nurse Kalkidan spent time listening to her worries. She is lonely as her son is at college all day and she is unable to get out much due to her disease. Nurse Kalkidan planned to refer her to the Hospice’s Day Care programme. When asked what difference Hospice Ethiopia had made to her life, she replied “I get all the help I need for example I receive medicines, sanitary pads and money so that I can eat.” She did not have any questions but ended the visit saying “God bless you. I have all I need”.

Visit our YouTube channel here to see a video of Nurse Kalkidan with Mahlet.

Patient Story: Heywot

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Heywot was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago in hospital and was offered chemotherapy and a mastectomy. However, she declined both these treatments, and she now has an extensive open breast wound.  A local organisation had offered to fund chemotherapy this year, but she again declined treatment. Local people in her community told her about Hospice Ethiopia and she contacted the Hospice 2 months prior to our visit.

Heywot is divorced and lives alone in a small one-room house. She previously worked as a daily labourer and is illiterate; she now has no source of income. Her son lives nearby and did most of the talking during the visit. She receives a monthly grant from the Tewolde Medhane Comfort fund, and neighbours have given her 10Kg of teff flour so that she can make injera (the staple Ethiopian flatbread).

The nurse from Hospice Ethiopia had partially relieved her pain with ibuprofen. She would benefit from a stronger pain killer like tramadol but under new regulations, Hospice Ethiopia can no longer provide this, and she would need to be seen by a hospital doctor. However, Heywot and her son have refused all further contact with a hospital.

When Heywot was asked what her main problems were, she replied “struggling with life, I don’t have enough food and am still in severe pain”. She feels happiness from God during her daily visits to her church. She wishes to be able to cook, for example, Shiro Wat (a chickpea stew) again which is her favourite food.