“Scott said he wanted to go on lots of holidays and especially to skydive over The Palm,”
Scott Simmons loved to fly. Lessons at Biggin Hill from the age of 14, piloting a microlite as an air cadet, skydiving with his family in Dubai or just watching planes and the night sky from the garden of his Orpington home – all of these things made Scott happy.
Scott was just 33 when he passed away in December 2024, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2022. The trainee accountant lived life as fully as possible in those two years, travelling with his mum Karen, Dad Chris and sister Ashleigh, and other family members, including trips to Egypt, Turkey, Center Parcs and Dubai where Scott, Ashleigh and Karen went skydiving over The Palm.
“Scott said he wanted to go on lots of holidays and especially to skydive over The Palm,” remembers Chris. “It was such an incredible thing to do and even though he was in the middle of his treatment he never complained once.”
It was only in the last few weeks of Scott’s life that he started to slow down. At this point, St Christopher’s stepped in to support Scott and his family.
Karen remembers: “To start with we were all a bit sceptical about the hospice being involved as we thought it was just about end-of-life care and Scott would have to go into the hospice. He always wanted to stay at home and was much happier when the doctor explained he could do that. They provided a hospital bed, other equipment and the medical supplies to make it possible.
“The nurses and doctors were amazing. They were so kind, caring and compassionate. They understood what Scott wanted, and the whole team really gelled with him giving him so much time and attention. In fact, they didn’t just care for Scott, they also cared for us as a family. We wouldn’t have received that kind of help from anyone else.
“I think getting to know the doctors and his social worker gave Scott real comfort; so much so that when they sat with Scott for private moments in his room, he was able to talk about his fears for me, Chris and Ashleigh. They gave him advice, guidance and a listening ear when he needed it. His main concern always was that he wasn’t going to be there for us.”
While Karen and Chris were upset at the suggestion at the time, they now thank their hospice social worker for addressing a crucial practicality.
“About two weeks before Scott passed away, the social worker asked if we’d thought about the funeral arrangements and contacting funeral directors,” Karen says.
“We were horrified initially, but it was the best piece of advice we’d ever had.
“In your initial moments of grief that’s the last thing on your mind. For us, after making that contact with several funeral directors, we felt reassured that when the time came, we knew that the company we had chosen would respect our wishes and take care of Scott.”
Within five months of Scott’s passing, 44 family members and friends, all wearing t-shirts with his photo on, came together at the St Christopher’s Fun Walk and Karen, Chris and Ashleigh have got over 100 sign ups for the 2026 Fun Walk. With an ongoing JustGiving page in Scott’s name and Ashleigh’s fiancé Luke running the London Marathon for the hospice, the family expect the £13,000 they’ve already raised to continue to grow. The Traders’ Committee in Royal Parade, Chislehurst where Karen works have also agreed that their annual charity Christmas Lights fundraising event will this year support the hospice.
“The Fun Walk was brilliant,” says Chris.
“The atmosphere was wonderful, and it was so nice having people who’d seen the photo of Scott on our t-shirts coming up and asking us about him. Everyone there has a story about their loved one.
“Fundraising for St Christopher’s helps keep Scott’s memory alive and he would be so proud of what the family are doing in his name.
“We also want to show other people that hospices aren’t just about end of life, but about care, guidance and support for families as well as patients.”
Karen, Chris and Ashleigh think about Scott every day and Karen has recently completed a course of bereavement counselling at St Christopher’s.
“The counsellor helped me realise that losing someone is traumatic. We did everything we could for Scott regarding his care. We were all involved with him in making those choices. We wouldn’t have done it any other way. The counselling was definitely beneficial though.”
Popping into St Christopher’s Orpington regularly has also provided the family with comfort.
“When I go there for a coffee, they always remember me and take time to have a chat. It’s so nice to know that even 11 months later they still remember Scott. He had an impact on them, and they had an impact on us.”
“We are joining thousands of others at St Christopher’s Fun Walk this year because the hospice was there for our son, Scott, when he needed them.
“St Christopher’s relies on its community to raise vital funds to deliver their expert care, and so after taking part last year with 44 of us, this year it would be our dream to have a team of 100 of Scott’s friends, family and colleagues to walk in his memory.
“Come and support your local hospice at Fun Walk and also enjoy a fun-filled day out. There’s so much going on across the site, with games, stalls and food and drink, and it’s also a chance to share stories and memories about those people who are no longer with us.
“I know Scott would be so proud of us, as we were so proud of him.”
I’m eternally grateful to all who took part in that conference, for prompting me to think about the kind of person I’d welcome at my bedside, when my own life eventually ebbs out its little day.
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