A WOMAN is set to take on a marathon challenge in memory of her mother who died of cancer.

In 2020, Fiona Hanks was told she only had eight months to live after being diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma - an aggressive form of cancer that forms in the bile ducts.

Her daughter Lanna Hanks, from Littlehampton, made the decision for her mother to stay in the in-patient unit at St Barnabas House in July 2021.

Fiona died at the Worthing hospice the following month at the age of 62.  

In memory of her mother, the 36-year-old and six of her friends will be taking on the South Downs Trek – a 26.2 mile circular walk to raise funds for St Barnabas House.

Lanna said her mother was originally only booked in for a short stay at the hospice, which provides specialist palliative care to adults with life-limiting illnesses.

“Mum was initially going to stay at the hospice for one week, but she was deteriorating rapidly so they decided to keep her in for longer,” she said.

“I remember the first time we visited the hospice, I was expecting it to be a scary place, but it wasn’t at all. It was so welcoming, and everyone was so friendly.

“I have two young children, Cameron, four, and Rory, one, and the staff and patients loved it when they went in to visit my Mum.

“They were laughing and making special memories with their beloved Nanny, and St Barnabas let them just be children.”

The Argus: Fiona Hanks, who died of cancer last year Fiona Hanks, who died of cancer last year

Speaking about the challenge, Lanna said: “My mum would be so incredibly proud of me and her girls for taking on the South Downs Trek.

“The trek is the day after my mum’s birthday - the first one we aren’t spending together, and the day before my first Mother’s Day without her – so it’ll be an emotional time for me but one that’s so special.”

The South Downs Trek is due to take place on March 26.

Fiona, a former midwife, was in “a lot of pain” when her health started to deteriorate, according to Lanna.

“Mum didn’t want me to be her carer. She wanted me to be her daughter - and because of St Barnabas House, that was possible up until the end,” she said.

“My mum was just incredible. Everyone that met her just fell in love with her, she just had a way of connecting with people and making them smile. There was no one quite like her.”

Fiona was cared for by St Barnabas House for four weeks before she died on August 12.