Category: Fundraising
Local Radio DJ committed to supporting Colour Dash Fest after the hospice care his daughter’s mum received
John Marshall will be supporting this year’s St Barnabas Colour Dash Fest in memory of his ex-partner.
Join John Marshall, Lincs FM Presenter, and St Barnabas Hospice on Saturday 16th May for the return of their popular Colour Dash Fest at the Lincolnshire Showground. The Colour Dash Fest features an untimed fun run featuring coloured paint stations at each kilometre where Paint Pirates will shower participants from head to toe as they go past. Participants can choose to run either 5k, 10k or 15k. 
John took part in last year’s Colour Dash whilst his ex-partner and daughter’s mum, Angela, was being cared for by the Hospice. Last November, Angela sadly died in the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit and John will now be running the Colour Dash once more in her memory.
John said:
“Angela was 49 when she died, but her diagnosis came five years prior to that. She was hoovering one day, thought she had pulled a muscle in her chest and went to get it checked out.
“By the time Angela was seen at the Hospital she had established in her head that it was breast cancer, and unfortunately, she was right. She had a lumpectomy, which appeared to be a success and at that point no more treatment was necessary. But as time went on more complications arose.
“A year or so later she has more issues with lesions. They had to do another operation which involved removing a lot of muscle and lymph nodes. After that she had big problems with lymphedema in her arm. Angela was in a lot of pain and with that the diagnosis went from treatable to “we can’t do anything more to help you”. This was nine months before Angela died.
“At this point Angela was referred to St Barnabas Hospice for respite care. She went into the Hospice several times and was able to return home stronger. There were times that she went into the Hospice and I didn’t think she would come back home again, but within two or three days she was sat up in bed, relaxed and comfortable.
“I think a lot of people’s opinion of the Hospice is that it is a place you go to die. It was a lesson to me, Angela and our daughter Eleanor – we had no idea you could visit for support and symptom relief. When Angela first went in there, I was frightened, and I know Angela was too. But we quickly realised that it could be a place for her to rest and leave stronger. We used to think of it like a 5* hotel because the food was great, and the attention and care was nothing short of fantastic. 
“I’ll always remember the support Annie and the other nurses gave Eleanor. Especially when we were told that the end was close for Angela and there was probably one night to go. Eleanor asked if she could stay by her Mum’s side, so they set up a double bed right next to Angela’s bed. Eleanor was able to lay next to Angela for the final night, holding her hand and chatting to her until they fell off to sleep. She said to Angela “wait for the morning Mum.” Angela wasn’t conscious, but she did wait. It was 7.20am when she died with Eleanor by her side, still holding her hand. If it had to happen, it couldn’t have happened in a calmer way and that’s down to the people at the Hospice providing outstanding care.
“When Eleanor and I left the Hospice for the final time it felt like we were saying goodbye to friends. They had been caring for Angela, and us for a long time and it was an emotional goodbye.”
Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Colour Dash. Limited early bird tickets are priced at:
- 5k Adult (15 years+) – £15
- 5k Child (5-15) – £5
- 10k Adult (15 years+) – £22
- 15k Adult (15 years+) – £30
“If I could spend one more day with my husband, I would throw him a Gin and Jammies party!”
“Paul was the most amazing husband and daddy to us all. He was a role model to our three children and we all loved him to bits.”
“In January 2018, Paul was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and days later his father was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer. It was a terrible time for us all. Paul went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy every single day for 25 days, all whilst continuing to work in our landscaping business that he had built from scratch eighteen years earlier. 
“A week before Paul had an operation scheduled to remove his cancer, his father sadly died. Paul continued to fight after this, but I could see the sadness in his face and the change in his character. This was in July 2018, and sadly Paul’s cancer continued to grow until it became inoperable. He died in October 2019, age 53.
“I chose to host a Gin and Jammies party in Paul’s memory because he just loved events. In fact, if I could spend one more day with my husband, I would throw him a Gin and Jammies party! We would all tell him a million more times that we love him, and I’d let him buy the camper van that he always wanted. In Paul’s honour, the children and I travelled in a chauffeur driven camper van behind his hearse at the funeral; he would have been so proud.
“At our Gin and Jammies party, there was around 20 people who paid to attend, played games, ate, drank and raised a glass. We had such a fabulous night and raised a total of £325 for the Hospice. Although St Barnabas didn’t care for Paul due to our location, their consultants did give us some valuable advice and support. 
“Gin and Jammies was the perfect way to get all the girls together and have genuine fun whilst supporting a good cause. If it’s something you’re only just hearing of, give it a go! It’s so much easier than trying to arrange a night out somewhere and the money you would normally spend on taxis, club entry, new outfits etc. all goes to St Barnabas instead.
“Register your interest, just like I did, at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/ginandjammies. The Hospice has even released their own gin for you to sample at your party!”
Paula Tuplin, Louth
“I threw a Gin and Jammies party at home because myself and a colleague both have cancer and wanted to have fun with our girlfriends whilst raising money for a worthy cause.”
“I first saw the advert for Gin and Jammies on Facebook and it seemed like the perfect excuse to get the girls round and have some fun for charity. I chatted to my oldest friend, Ellie May, and we managed to gather 15 people to attend. 
“We played Jenga, table top curling and pass the parcel. There was laughter and chat, as well as gin and prosecco! It was a much-needed catch-up and gave me a reason to forget about my cancer.
“I was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in June 2011. After surgery and five years of follow-on checks, I was then discharged. Last June, eight years after I discovered my skin cancer, I found a lump in my groin. I was absolutely devastated. I had surgery in the August to remove ten lymph nodes, but the surgery wasn’t a success. A PET scan showed melanoma in more nodes which cannot be operated on, so my cancer is now stage four and I am on palliative immunotherapy treatment.
“Since discovering I have cancer, my outlook on life is totally different. I take more time out to relax but still continue to work and get together with friends as much as possible. My husband died seven years ago but I have been very lucky to meet my new partner, Rob. We go on holiday together and socialise with friends.
“My work colleague, Josie Johnson, also has cancer and we are supporting each other through such a difficult time. It’s eye opening when you realise just how many people are affected by cancer in one way or another.
“I have a three-year-old grandson who is my world. He is why I fight so hard against my cancer. 
“My cancer is now terminal, but I am hoping the immunotherapy will give me a few extra years to live. I feel glad to know that the £250 raised by my Gin and Jammies party will help support people across Lincolnshire in a similar position to me. St Barnabas does such an incredible job supporting the people of Lincolnshire and you really don’t know if you or a loved one will ever need their services. When the time comes, I will call upon St Barnabas to support my family and I through my last few weeks.
“There is still time to hold your own Gin and Jammies party to help raise much needed funds. Simply visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/ginandjammies to download your free information pack full of tips and ideas.”
Karen Powell – St Barnabas supporter
Annual charity quiz night set to return to Waddington
The St Barnabas Hospice Wine and Wisdom Quiz Night will return to Waddington for the 24th year.
Now in its 24th year, the St Barnabas Hospice Wine and Wisdom Quiz Night is expected to be a sell-out in Waddington once again. It is the Hospice’s longest-running event and has raised an outstanding £38,500 for Lincolnshire’s end-of-life care over the years.
Taking place on Friday 6th March, 7pm at Waddington Village Hall (LN5 9NX), Wine and Wisdom promises to be a fun-filled night out for friends, family or even work colleagues.
Team bookings are open once more to this eight-round quiz night and the Hospice is looking for teams of 5-8 people for only £6 per head. Included in the ticket price is wine and nibbles for each table and some fantastic prizes for the winners.
Wine and Wisdom began in 1996 and was set up by widower, John Davey, in memory of his wife, Anne. Anne was admitted to the St Barnabas Lincoln Inpatient Unit in 1992 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
John said:
“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.
“On Christmas Eve, carol singers 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.
“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.”
St Barnabas now continues to run the Wine and Wisdom event in memory of Anne and both John and their son, Adam have been fantastic supporters and fundraisers for the Hospice ever since Anne’s death.
Due to the popularity of the event, quizzers must pre-book to attend. Visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/winewisdom20 to book your place.
St Barnabas launches Est. 1982 Bramble – brand new gin!
- Pay a visit to Bottomley Distillers, 6 Bolingbroke Court, Bolingrboke Road, Fairfield Industrial Estate, Louth, LN11 0ZW (open 8am-5pm, Monday to Saturday)
- Click the link below to download an order form and post it back to Bottomley Distillers
Meet the Colour Dash Fest Organiser: Melissa!
Meet Melissa Gaffney, the organiser of Colour Dash Fest 2020!
“Colour Dash is one of those events that inspires, intimidates and excites me all in one. It’s a phenomenal pleasure to be part of the team that puts on one of our Hospice’s most incredible fundraising events. I remember organising this event for the first time last year, looking at an empty field and turning around at 10:00 and seeing it abuzz with the excitement of 2,500 participants ready to do something absolutely incredible for the Hospice.
“Not only does this event raise vital funds for St Barnabas Hospice, but it also highlights how brilliant we as a county are in supporting each other, our local Hospice and those we love and miss. Colour Dash is more than a fun day out, it’s a chance to complete a milestone in your life and remember a loved one. The incredible thing is, you’re not alone on that course. There are dashers, walkers and runners who support each other and that’s a magical thing to be a part of.
“I love Colour Dash on so many levels; I love it as an organiser, as a fundraiser, as a fellow runner, as someone who has lost people so very close to me – Colour Dash is what you make of it, but you make it a spectacular date in the diary for myself and so many across the county.
“Best of luck fundraising!”
Local print and design company raises nearly £250 for St Barnabas Hospice
Visual Print and Design, an award-winning print and design company based in North Hykeham, have raised much needed funds for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice as part of their 2019 Christmas campaign.
Due to sales achieved by their ’12 Days of Printmas’ campaign, where companies could make savings on orders placed during December, Visual Print and Design have been able to make a donation of £247.53 to St Barnabas Hospice, an independent Hospice charity that provides free, specialist palliative care for everyone in Lincolnshire.
All money raised will go towards helping to support more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire affected by a life-limiting or terminal condition such as funding 49 three-course meal for one of their patients in their Inpatient Unit or allowing St Barnabas Hospice to care for a patient in their own home for 20 hours.
Caroline Swindin, Corporate & Community Lead of St Barnabas Hospice said:
“Thank you to Visual Print and Design for raising money and for choosing to support St Barnabas in this way. We really appreciate this; your donation will help to make a real difference to the care and support St Barnabas provides to those in our local communities.”
Scott Jones, Head of Operations at Visual Print and Design said:
“We’re delighted to have been able to raise nearly £250 for St Barnabas Hospice as part of our 12 Days of Printmas campaign. We hope this money can help them continue to do the amazing work they do every single day.”
Boston Hospice to host popular Bring a Gift Coffee Morning
St Barnabas Hospice is welcoming the public once again to their Bring a Gift Coffee Morning in Boston.
St Barnabas Hospice will be hosting a Bring a Gift Coffee Morning on Tuesday 11th February at their Boston Day Therapy Centre, Mayflower Lodge, Green Lane, PE21 9NB.
Taking place between 10am and 12pm, the Bring a Gift Coffee Morning will have an array of homemade bakes on offer, tea and coffee and a raffle.
Paisley Paddison, Community Fundraiser at St Barnabas Hospice, said:
“The Bring a Gift Coffee Morning is a great way to bring the community together and allow our supporters to enjoy a hot drink and cake. Coffee mornings like this are a great way for us to obtain raffle and tombola prizes for the year ahead.
“We’re asking people to bring an unwanted Christmas present to the Hospice, or maybe even more if they feel they can. Money raised from raffles and tombolas will help to support the end-of-life care we provide across Lincolnshire.”
Mayflower Lodge has hosted hundreds of coffee mornings over the years, raising thousands of pounds. The coffee morning before Christmas raised £120, which has meant that through just two hours of fundraising, St Barnabas was able to fund a nurse visit to a patient being cared for in the comfort of their own home.
If you have any questions about the Coffee Morning or the types of gifts we use in raffles and tombolas, call Paisley Paddison on 07468 715 788 or email paisley.paddison@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Grantham Hospice to host popular Bring a Gift Coffee Morning
St Barnabas Hospice is welcoming the public once again to their Bring a Gift Coffee Morning in Grantham.
St Barnabas Hospice will be hosting a Bring a Gift Coffee Morning on Thursday 30th January at their Grantham Day Therapy Centre, Barrowby Road, NG31 8AF.
Taking place between 10am and 12pm, the Bring a Gift Coffee Morning will have an array of homemade bakes on offer, tea and coffee and a raffle.
Paisley Paddison, Community Fundraiser at St Barnabas Hospice, said:
“The Bring a Gift Coffee Morning is a great way to bring the community together and allow our supporters to enjoy a hot drink and cake. Coffee mornings like this are a great way for us to obtain raffle and tombola prizes for the year ahead.
“We’re asking people to bring an unwanted Christmas present to the Hospice, or maybe even more if they feel they can. Money raised from raffles and tombolas will help to support the end-of-life care we provide across Lincolnshire.”
Barrowby Road has hosted hundreds of coffee mornings over the years, raising thousands of pounds. The coffee morning before Christmas raised £180, which has meant that through just two hours of fundraising, St Barnabas was able to fund a nurse visit to a patient being cared for in the comfort of their own home and ten lightweight fleece blankets for patients.
Debbie, a member of the public who attended the last St Barnabas Coffee Morning, said:
“It was so nice to pop in and enjoy a coffee and slice of cake whilst supporting a good cause. Seeing inside the hospice building was a great insight into the work the Hospice does. It’s such a bright and happy place to be and it was great to see people of all ages at the coffee morning.”
If you have any questions about the Coffee Morning or the types of gifts we use in raffles and tombolas, call Paisley Paddison on 07468 715 788 or email paisley.paddison@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
“As a nurse I often say that if you can make a difference for someone else, then that is the best gift in the world.”
Julie Milner is a Staff Nurse who works as part of the Community Services team at St Barnabas Hospice. She has spent eight years working for St Barnabas and three Christmas Days visiting patients and families on what is often their last Christmas together.
Julie said, “Christmas can be a very tough time for patients and families living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. It also brings back memories of loved ones who are no longer here. Each year I support Lincolnshire patients at what could be their last Christmas. The aim is to offer the whole family a safety net of support, especially at such a difficult time of year. I want them to know they can pick up the phone and that we will be there for them.
“A lot of our patients wish to be at home with family and friends over the festive period. I remember working with an elderly lady who was in hospital and wanted nothing more than to be at home for her family Christmas dinner. She couldn’t eat, but it meant the world to spend Christmas Day sharing this meal with her children and grandchildren. We supported her with equipment and visits over Christmas, including on Christmas Day, so that she could spend this precious time with her family.
“This year we have a Christmas appeal where we are asking you to give the ‘Gift of Time’. The nurses and I have compiled a selection of Christmas wishes for time that you can help gift to our patients and their families. Please help us create lasting memories this Christmas. You could make the donation personally or donate on behalf of someone else as their Christmas present.
“Food is a big part of our Christmas celebrations at the Hospice. It’s really important that families can join their loved one to eat together. My mum received hospice care and when she was poorly my dad thought she needed a big plate of dinner. She couldn’t face it and my dad couldn’t understand why. She then went into a hospice and the nurses gave her a small side plate of food. I remember her saying “I can manage this.” She enjoyed her food more after going into the Hospice and this memory will always stick with me.
“If someone is unwell, they are often not able to cook. In the build-up to Christmas, our wonderful chefs make turkey dinners with all the trimmings, so families can come here to enjoy their Christmas meal instead. Sometimes our patients want something slightly different to eat for Christmas, but we always try to make their wish come true.
“Christmas dinner is one example of the ‘gifts,’ you can give as part of this appeal. To support our patients this Christmas and give the gift of time, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/time-to-care.”