Beryl Jackson fundraises in memory of her daughter Lesley

12th August 2022

Photograph from 1990s, four people sitting on the sofa - blonde woman, young girl, young boy, brunette woman

In early July, Beryl Jackson from Lincoln hosted a coffee morning to raise funds for St Barnabas in memory of her husband Allan and daughter Lesley Guyler. Beryl hosts regular coffee mornings and fundraisers in support of the charity who cared for her beloved only child Lesley at the end of her life.

Since 2005, Beryl has donated an incredible £2,293 to St Barnabas Hospice in memory of Lesley and Allan.

Picture from 1976 showing young brunette girl with red jumper holding a cake

Lesley was born in Scunthorpe in 1959 and the family lived in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, before taking on the exciting challenge of traveling and living abroad.

In the 1990s Beryl lived in Singapore and Thailand with Allan, while Lesley lived in Germany with her husband Mark, daughter Amy and son Jordan. The family saw each other often, happily taking the long journeys to spend holidays together.

Sadly, at age 39, Lesley was diagnosed with breast cancer, and received radiotherapy and chemotherapy in Dusseldorf, before the difficult decision was made by her doctors to perform a mastectomy, and after this a hysterectomy.

Beryl says: “I flew to Germany every month for a two week stay to support Lesley and the family during her treatments.

“Never once did she complain about her illness and her concern was for her children, who she adored. Her unfailing bravery through all this was inspirational. After her surgery, Lesley stayed with Allan and myself in Thailand to recuperate and they both enjoyed each other’s company, which meant a lot to me.”

After the hysterectomy, Lesley recovered and was in good health again, and enjoyed life fully. In 2000, Beryl and Allan moved back to Lincolnshire, with Lesley’s family following shortly afterwards.

Sadly, Lesley became unwell again in 2004 and the family learned her cancer had spread to her bones and that it was terminal. Photograph from 1990s showing woman in pink top with black handbag and blonde woman in white dress.

Lesley started to visit St Barnabas Hospice every week, enjoying lunch with the new friends she met through the charity, who understood her journey and gave her vital support during this difficult time. These social groups are still available to St Barnabas patients around the county today.

Beryl says: “Lesley had such a great personality; she loved to socialise and had a passion for baking and cooking – the latter has been passed on to her children.

“As her cancer progressed, Lesley made all her own funeral arrangement and decided to stop her treatment. However, she was determined to live long enough to meet her first grandchild and in September 2005 Livvie was born, whom Lesley helped deliver. Livvie became Lesley’s pride and joy!”

Nine months later, with her conditioning worsening, Lesley was admitted to St Barnabas Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Lincoln, where she died peacefully 10 days later on 14th June 2006, surrounded by her family.

About the care St Barnabas provided to Lesley, Beryl comments: “The staff was so dedicated, and their care and compassion extended to us, her devoted family.

“As a thank you for providing her with this wonderful care, I forwarded all the donations from her funeral to the charity. After losing my husband earlier this year, I did the same with his funeral donations. I know that without donations, the good work of St Barnabas cannot be carried on to help all those other people who need it.”

Every year, St Barnabas Hospice supports over 12,000 people through free care and wellbeing services, and over £6 million needs to be raised each year to continue supporting patients around Lincolnshire.

The charity receives no funding from the government and fully relies on the kind donations of supporters like Beryl. Every pound makes a real difference and donations can be made as a one-off or as a regular Direct Debit.

Click here to donate to St Barnabas Hospice.

 

Top picture L-R: Beryl, Amy, Jordan, Lesley

Picture below L-R: Lesley, Beryl, Jordan and Amy

Photo from 1990s showing four people at a table, left to right: brunette woman, blonde woman, young boy and young girl

 

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