Joe’s Story: Climbing the Three Peaks for Weldmar to give back for the incredible care and support his family will never forget

This May, Weldmar Hospicecare supporter Joe Cain will be taking on the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Snowdonia in Wales and Scafell Pike in England within 24 hours whilst carrying 40lbs on his back. It’s in memory of his mum Rosemary, who was cared for by Weldmar Hospicecare after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Joe remembers that when they got the diagnosis, Weldmar came in straight away to support the family, particularly Joe’s dad, who at the time was helping to look after Rosemary. Joe said “We all said they were like angels on our shoulders, and I don’t think that even does them justice. We didn’t really know these people at the time but it felt like we had known them such a long time, and it was almost like they were an extension of our family, at what the only way to describe it as the toughest of times. The way they looked after mum was just incredible, and the support that they gave us as well was just something that I think we will all never forget and has left a mark on all of us, we said that whatever happens we would do whatever we can to raise money for Weldmar.”

Joe’s first fundraising challenge for Weldmar was the 100km Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge in 2024, along with his sister. “It was an amazing experience. It was one of the toughest things I have done. I was thinking about my mum while I was doing it and the whole Weldmar team. The support I got from so many people, every message and donation, it was all worth it. It was the bigger picture of doing it in memory of mum and keeping her memory alive.”

Joes says the support he got from the Weldmar Fundraising Team in the lead up to the event, and on the day, really helped. He said “When I set off on my 100km there were two people from Weldmar there and I will be honest that was quite emotional for me. I was also given a vest to wear for Weldmar and every time I wore it, it was a really powerful reminder of why I was doing it. Until you need someone like Weldmar you don’t really understand the work they do, and how incredible everyone is at the charity.”

Pictured: Joe on some of his training walks to get prepared for the challenge.

Joe says the inner strength he has to complete the challenges comes from the people around him and the memory of his mum’s strength, he said “It always comes back to mind over matter, and that’s the sense of inspiration I get from my mum, I remember even in her last days and moments she was still so determined and brave. That gives me a lot of strength with these challenges, and the way my dad looked after my mum.”

The idea for carrying the 40lbs for his challenge this year came from the marines passing out runs. He wanted to link it to Weldmar, so when he saw the news of the £400,000 funding that Weldmar were set to lose he knew the weight he was going to carry would represent that money Weldmar had lost. “The reality is there are so many families going through similar things to what we went through as a family with mum. That is what gives me a lot of determination to give back a little bit. It scares me to think what people would do if Weldmar weren’t there. If I can make a difference somehow, that’s what I want to do.”

You can support Joe on his Three Peak’s Challenge and his fundraising journey for Weldmar by donating on his JustGiving page.

Our thanks to Joe for sharing his story, and for continuing to support Weldmar. Sharing stories of our care helps other local people to understand the nature of what Weldmar do, and the difference that we can make during one of life’s most difficult journeys.

If you would like to share your story, please contact marketing@weld-hospice.org.uk.

Weldmar needs to raise £27,500 every single day to keep our much needed services going. You can find out how to support us here.