John and Anne on their silver wedding anniversary in 1989
An annual quiz night that was started by Lincoln widower, John Davey in memory of his wife, Anne is celebrating its 20th year this year.
Since the quiz began in 1996 over £35,500 has been raised for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice who cared for John’s wife in her final days.
In December 1992, Anne was admitted to the hospice on Nettleham Road in Lincoln after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
John, 77, said: “Anne’s diagnosis came as a real shock to us all especially when we learnt that nothing more could be done for her. It was such a sad time, truly heart-breaking for all the family.
“I was a little apprehensive when it was suggested that Anne should be transferred into the care of the hospice but I was assured that they would be able to help make Anne comfortable and pain-free.
“The hospice was a truly wonderful place and the people there were incredibly kind. They took such good care of Anne but they also looked after the whole family too.”
John added: “I will always remember the night I fell asleep holding Anne’s hand and I awoke to find that a blanket had been placed over me by one of the kind people there. It’s only a small thing but it is something I will never forget and it really meant a lot.”
During her time in the hospice, Anne and John celebrated Christmas and New Year together.
“I’ll never forget Christmas Eve and the carol singers who were performing in the hospice. The sound of the music drifted into Anne’s room and the most remarkable thing happened, Anne sat up in bed for the first time in a long time and she sat and sang every carol. For that short time, I had my Anne back, she was just like her old self.
“It was wonderful, they had managed to bring Christmas inside the hospice and bring some normality back into all of our lives. Of course, I have many sad memories of Anne’s time in the hospice but I was also given many happy ones and it’s those memories that are really important.”
Anne died at the hospice at the age of 56 on 13th January 1993, just eight weeks after being diagnosed.
Following her death, John organised two sponsored walks which raised over £8,000 for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice. In 1996, John decided to organise a quiz night which became known as the annual Wine and Wisdom fundraiser.
John said: “Wine and Wisdom began as a wonderful way to remember my wife of 29-years and also for our family and friends to remember her too. It also gave us an opportunity to raise money to help other families who need the valuable support of the hospice.
“I am truly humbled by the amount of money the quiz has raised and it far exceeds any expectations I had. I never expected the quiz to become so popular and I wouldn’t have dared to dream that it would still be going now.
“It’s a lovely lasting tribute to my dearest Anne.”
Wine and Wisdom is held on Friday 4th March, from 7pm, at Waddington Village Hall on Mere Road in Lincoln. Participation cost is £6 per person and teams of 5 – 8 will compete in eight rounds of questions. The winning team will win a bottle of wine each.
Participants can register online at: www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/WWWAD
For more information please contact Ben Petts, Community Events Fundraiser on 01522 559 515 or e-mail [email protected]