Category: Fundraising
Boston Tesco raises £1,480 to support children with grief
Recently, St Barnabas Hospice received £1,480 from Boston Tesco to put towards Pip’s Kits, which can help young children understand death and cope with grief.
St Barnabas applied for a Tesco Community Grant in the Boston store, and the charity was placed among three local good causes for the blue token customer vote. For the past three months, customers have been able to choose from these three, with St Barnabas winning first prize.
The Hospice supports families across Lincolnshire from the moment of a diagnosis, helping them throughout the process with not just care, but also mental wellbeing. This includes services such as counselling, pre-bereavement support and when the time comes, bereavement support. This mental wellbeing support is available to people of all ages, including children.
Pip’s Kit is a package for 5 – 10-year-olds that includes age-appropriate materials about hospices, death, grief, and coping. It includes soft cuddly toys, books, and activities to help the child explore their feelings and understand what is happening. Pip’s Kit was created by Fruit Fly Collective, a not-for-profit organisation that includes teams of scientists, clinicians, and artists.
Mandy Irons, Head of Wellbeing Services at St Barnabas Hospice, says: “Sadly, we are seeing a rise in our referrals for younger families coming into our service, who have children in the 5 – 10 age range. Explaining that Mum or Dad is dying is the most traumatic event possible for a child and we want to make this journey as supported as possible for the family.
“Fruit Fly Collective work with children and families affected by palliative illness to help them understand and create their own ways of coping.
“Thanks to this amazing donation from Boston Tesco we can now purchase 37 kits to help even more families who are struggling to cope.”
If you or your organisation can support St Barnabas Hospice with child bereavement support through funding or by providing further materials, please contact Mandy Irons on mandy.irons@stbarnabashospice.co.uk or 07483 105 240.
Upcoming HeART Trail supports heart patients like Lisa
Lisa Hartley from Spalding has heart failure and has been receiving support from St Barnabas Hospice since 2020.
After a longstanding spinal injury, Lisa suffered from a heart attack, meningitis, a brain swell, and she contracted sepsis twice over the course of two years. All these issues combined gave her chronic heart failure, leaving her bedridden.
Whilst in the hospital, Lisa received the devastating news that she only had 48 hours left to live. Against all odds, her condition improved enough for her to be out of immediate danger, but her doctors told her that there was nothing more they could do for her.
However, her heart nurse suggested Lisa get in touch with St Barnabas for support in early 2020. The decision to accept this suggestion has changed her life drastically.
Lisa says: “I was given 48 hours to live but instead, I walked out of the hospital two weeks later to a home that I didn’t think I would see again.
“St Barnabas gives me medical care, as well as counselling on a weekly basis, and help with my mobility. Over the years, they have provided me with a powered wheelchair, a ramp for the house and other specialist furniture to improve my day-to-day. I was even given advice on improving my family’s financial situation, which had been worrying me further.”
A true animal-lover, Lisa owns three horses including 26-year-old Monty, a stallion with the calm and sweet temperament of a dog, as well as a terminal heart condition like his owner. During her long battle with her condition, Lisa’s wish was to ride Monty again, after not being able to get in the saddle for over 18 months.
Lisa says: “It was through Zoe’s physio that I was able to get back to riding after being poorly for so long. She knew that my aim was to get back on Monty, and that’s what happened. It’s people like that, they don’t realise that the job they do gives so much back to others.
“Monty needs me to keep going, and I want to keep going. I’m not ready to give in yet!”
The upcoming HeART Trail, a heart-shaped sculpture art trail set to launch in summer 2023, raises awareness for St Barnabas Hospice and the care it provides to patients with heart conditions, like Lisa.
These beautiful “HeARTworks” can be enjoyed by the whole community, and the aim is to have 40 sculptures up and down the county – from the vibrant city of Lincoln across the rolling Wolds to the East Coast, and as far as our beautiful town of Stamford.
For St Barnabas to launch the Trail, £300,000 must be raised through sponsorship.
Lisa says: “There are so many local businesses that could possibly help this amazing charity that has been going for 40 years. I know money is tight for everybody but please give to a charity that gives so much to so many others.
“It would be fantastic to see a HeART appear in the Spalding area where I live, so I’d love for Spalding businesses and organisations to get involved.”
To find out more about the HeART Trail and become a sponsor, visit: www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/hearttrail
Lisa says: “It’s now over two and a half years since I first got support from St Barnabas. It has not been an easy journey; I currently take 76 pills a day and my health and overall wellbeing change daily.
“But thanks to St Barnabas, I can visit Monty and my other horses regularly, look after them at the stables and ride when I feel well enough. It is through this care, that I can keep on being me.”
Pick up great bargains at the Kilo Sale on Saturday 24th September
St Barnabas Hospice will be holding its very first Pop Up Kilo Sale event on Saturday 24th September at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln.
Attendees can ditch fast fashion by discovering fantastic pre-loved vintage, retro, and unique clothing and accessories, as well as support a great local charity at the same time.
Access to the event is free, with donations to St Barnabas gratefully accepted. There are no tickets to buy, just come along on the day between 10am and 3pm.
There will be rails upon rails of high-quality bargains for shoppers to choose from, simply load up a bag, bring it to the till and pay. The cost per kilo is just £10, less than many other Kilo Sale events that are held in Lincoln. Payments can be made via cash or card and there is no minimum spend.
Caroline Peach, Head of Retail at St Barnabas Hospice says: “We can’t wait to welcome all you savvy shoppers to buy sustainable slow fashion that is not just good for the planet, but for your wallet too!
“Everyone is feeling the squeeze of the cost of living crisis, and shopping at our charity shops or attending events like this helps you save money and update your wardrobe – as well as feeling good about supporting a local cause.
“We have organised this Kilo Sale to take place during the Sustainable Fashion Week, so many people are looking to make better choices and go for slow fashion and keeping clothes out of landfill.”
If you would like to donate items to be sold at the Kilo Sale, please bring your items to the Forum shop in North Hykeham, open from Monday to Sunday.
The Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW) takes place from 16th to 25th September 2022 and is the first fashion week of its kind, with four themes: Rewear, Repurpose, Regenerate and Reconnect. Its focus is not on next season’s trends but instead on up-skilling, inspiring and empowering the community.
St Barnabas Hospice has 25 shops across Lincolnshire, as well as an online shop, an eBay page and Depop account. Find your local St Barnabas shop here: www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop
Care for a Cuppa in memory of Jenny Kenton
Aimee Furneaux and her family in Branston hosted a Care for a Cuppa fundraiser on Saturday 20th August, raising a whopping £1,230!
Aimee, her sister Faye, and their father Paul hosted the event for dozens of family members and friends, who enjoyed delicious cakes over tea, coffee and soft drinks, and helped raise vital funds for their local Hospice.
The event was in memory of Aimee and Faye’s mother Jenny Kenton, who was a patient at St Barnabas Hospice before her death in March 2022.
Aimee says: “The dignity, respect, love and care they showed mum during her final few days will never be forgotten. The amazing service they provide to the people of Lincolnshire must never be taken for granted and should be supported and protected at all costs.”
Care for a Cuppa is a new campaign by St Barnabas Hospice, which encourages supporters to put the kettle on and host their own coffee morning, to raise vital funds for the charity.
To find out more about Care for a Cuppa or to get started on hosting your own, click here.
For every pound raised for St Barnabas, 74p goes straight towards delivering, and improving the care and support the charity offers to over 12,000 people every year. The other 26p goes towards generating future income.
Secondary school teacher smashes fundraising goal for her children
On Friday 19th August, St Barnabas Hospice shared a story about patient Sam Pickersgill, a 47-year old mother of two with a progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease. Doctors sadly do not know how long she has left, but Sam knows what she wants to do with the time she has: Give her children great memories to treasure.
Sam started a GoFundMe, hoping to raise £1,000. On Thursday 25th August, that total stands over £4,700! A fantastic result thanks to the generosity of the community, and the number keeps going up.
On top of this, there have been offers from organisations and individuals to give Sam and her family a getaway holiday, as well as local equestrian centres offering Sam’s horse-obsessed daughter Hattie riding lessons. St Barnabas Hospice are also hoping to find an organisation who can help 10-year old Dominic with a football experience.
Sam is a much-loved secondary school teacher, who has inspired thousands of people in her community through her work. Many of the people who have donated on her GoFundMe or offered support via social media remember her fondly from their school days.
Former student Carly Young shares some memories of having Sam as a teacher: “In 2017 I moved schools to attend the Priory Witham Academy, where Sam was my Head of Year. I was previously told by every teacher that there was no chance of me getting anywhere. We bonded from the get-go and Sam made me believe in myself.
“I have so many great memories from school with Sam, my favourite has to be on sports day when I ran the 100m for my tutor group. Sam was at the finish line shouting my name and as I ran I just wanted to make her proud. For coming first place, Sam gave me a big hug and told me how proud she was of me.
“She even took time to write a reference for my university application, and bearing in mind it was the Christmas holidays she did it for me during her time off! I’m now going to be attending university studying mental health in September and that is all because of her showing me how to believe in myself.
“She wasn’t just my teacher, she saved my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Sam, I’ll always look at the moon for you.”
Another former student, Kaisha, says: “We would always call Sam ‘Mrs P’. She taught me through my later stages of science in year 10 and 11 and became my form tutor in year 12. Mrs P was such an amazing teacher, and made sure you were seen and heard, making sure you were okay.
“It’s amazing to see so many fellow former students support Sam. I think it says a lot about the kind of person Sam is and how much she means to us, even though most of us have been out of school for 5+ years.”
Sarah Baker (née Waby) also has great memories of Sam, saying: “I was taught by her from 2008 to 2013 and she made science so fun!
“She always made time to explain things and would get us all up and interacting to help us to fully understand certain topics. She helped us all so much through our GCSE’s too, making revision cards and packs all off her own back.
“Sam was such an approachable teacher and always found a way to make you laugh. She was one of the best teachers at Witham!”
If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to.
Additionally, if you would like to support us to find ways to treat Dominic with anything football or Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Top image: Sam and her husband Ro on their wedding day
City of Lincoln 10k runner Fiona: “Raising over £4,700 for St Barnabas is a very proud moment!”
One of Lincolnshire’s most popular charity road run events is back on Sunday 30th October 2022: the City of Lincoln 10k.
One participant of last year’s 10k is Fiona Brown, who ran in memory of her friend and neighbour Karen Chambers, who died in July 2020. Fiona had hoped to participate in the event that year but the run was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, taking place on 31st October 2021 instead.
Fiona had already signed up for the 2020 Lincoln 10k but when she heard Karen’s terrible news, she decided to run in support of a charity of Karen’s choice. Karen and her husband Nick chose St Barnabas Hospice as they had been caring for Karen, and Fiona set up a JustGiving page with a target of £300.
In just three days Fiona managed to raise £1,000 and by the time she ran the 10k on rainy Sunday 31st October 2021, the total raised including GiftAid was a whopping £4702.18. Fiona ran the course with husband Chris and eldest son Declan, who she calls her ‘wingmen.’ 
Fiona says: “I can honestly say I loved every minute of it, despite the torrential rain! The bad weather did not put the crowds off from coming out to support us and for that I will always be grateful.
“It was an emotional day from start to finish and I think Karen would have been extremely proud of what we achieved. We have raised a massive amount of money in Karen’s memory for St Barnabas Hospice to help others, like they helped Karen and her family through such a difficult time.”
Fiona achieved a personal best, running the course in 1:17:20, after starting her training in June 2020. With the event now ten months in the past, she says she keeps up with her running but has not participated in any further charity races. However, Fiona says they if she does, she would support St Barnabas Hospice again.
After the race, Fiona said: “This journey has been a big part of my life for the last 16 months. We will all continue to keep Karen’s memory alive and remember her for the special, kind lady she was.
“Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart. To have raised over £4,700 for St Barnabas is a very proud moment for me!”
If you would like to sign up for this year’s City of Lincoln 10k, taking place on Sunday 30th October 2022, register here: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/lincoln10k-22/
Top picture: Fiona finishing the 10k, and a portrait of Karen.
Register for the 25th Wine and Wisdom quiz
St Barnabas Hospice are delighted to announce the return of the popular Wine and Wisdom quiz at Waddington Village Hall on 15th October after a two-year absence. It’s the 25th time that this quiz is held and during St Barnabas Hospice’s 40 anniversary year, so it’s an extra special event!
Wine and Wisdom originally started in 1996 by widower John Davey in memory of his wife, Anne, who he was married to for 29 years. In 1992 Anne was admitted to our Inpatient Unit in Lincoln after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
John was so touched by the care Anne and his whole family received there, that he decided to put on a quiz to raise funds for St Barnabas.
John said, “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.
“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.
“Wine and Wisdom began as a wonderful way to remember my wife and 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.”
This is St Barnabas Hospice’s longest-running event and has raised £34,460 over the years in support of end-of-life care in Lincolnshire. The quiz night has grown from a small event for family and friends, to a much-anticipated evening in the calendar of many in the community.
It is a chance to come together, have fun, show off your knowledge and of course raise vital funds for your local hospice.
Teams of 6-8 people can register for only £10 per head. Two bottles of wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be provided for each table but please feel free to bring your own drinks and food as there will be no bar available on the night.
If you are unable to put a team together, you can still register and we will create a team of individuals.
Make sure you register quickly, as places are limited! To register your place, visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/wine-and-wisdom/
For more information please contact the Fundraising team on 01522 540 300 or fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Fundraiser to help give patient’s children something to look forward to
47-year old mother of two Sam Pickersgill from Newton on Trent was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and received treatment for her condition.
Following a kick to the head from a horse in December 2021, Sam was brought in for a brain scan, which found progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease, limiting her life expectancy significantly.
Sam was referred to St Barnabas in January 2022 for psychological support and future planning to help her with the emotional difficulties and uncertainties that came with her diagnosis.
Mary, a Specialist Nurse Practitioner and Katie, a Health and Rehabilitation Support Worker from St Barnabas, took over her wellbeing and care planning in April.
They arranged for Sam to receive counselling, giving her a crucial safe space to talk about what she was feeling and what was happening to her and her family. They have also supported Sam maintain a level of independence with equipment to help her around the home.
Sadly, in July 2022, after enjoying a family holiday to Lanzarote, Sam was given the dreadful news that the metastasis had progressed further in the brain and leptomeningeal and that she is at high risk of sudden death.
Mary has played a crucial role in helping Sam and her husband Ro discuss with their children the serious topic of Sam’s limited time. The family feels that Mary helps them work through the difficult emotions and practicalities, as well as supporting them in finding the positive things in life.
Sam says: “Mary has been incredible; I don’t know how our family would have been able to handle this situation if we didn’t have her. She has kept me going and supported us throughout, from telling the children, to organising my own funeral and making sure it’s exactly how I want to be remembered.
“Mary made me realise I could take control of the situation and organise some wonderful times for everyone to remember and enabling me to spend my days comfortably at home around Ro, Hattie and Dominic.”
Mary has helped Sam facilitate a personalised care and support plan, with open discussions about what is important to Sam and the whole family. Financial support has also been given through the Welfare and Benefits team, as well as helping Sam list her final wishes. This is all part of the Advanced Care Planning which St Barnabas offers to patients and their families so they can focus on what’s really important to them – making the most of whatever time remains.
It was the couple’s 23rd Wedding Anniversary on Sunday 14th August. Unfortunately Sam was too unwell to attend a family meal, however later that day local legend Dan Hadfield performed a private Gary Barlow tribute concert in her parents’ garden, which Sam enjoyed surrounded by family and close friends.
St Barnabas continues to offer Sam and the family the psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual support when they need it.
Mary says: “When I first met Sam at her home, she threw her arms around me. From that point, I’ve seen her each week and have built a supporting relationship with the whole family. I have loved learning more about Sam the secondary school teacher, 14-year-old Hattie’s love of horses and 10-year-old Dominic’s obsession with Real Madrid.
“Sam has invested a lot of time supporting others in her life, and I feel it’s a privilege to do something in return to help her and her loved ones during this difficult time. St Barnabas will be with Sam when and where she needs us.
“We cannot change the outcome, but we can make every day count until then.”
Sam is fundraising to give Hattie and Dominic something to look forward to. Sam’s health makes it difficult for her to know day-to-day how she is going to feel, so she’s hoping that the family can do something for the children during such a difficult time.
Sam says: “I want to give the children memories to treasure.”
If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to.
Additionally, if you would like to support us find ways to treat Hattie with a horse experience, or Dominic with anything Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Beryl Jackson fundraises in memory of her daughter Lesley
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.
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. 
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
Care for a Cuppa at historic Middle Rasen Watermill raises over £2,000
On Saturday 6th August, St Barnabas Fundraising Officer Ellie Carter and her parents Mandy and Mark held a Care for a Cuppa fundraiser at their home; The Watermill in Middle Rasen.
The family opened their doors to residents from the community, friends, and family. Over 200 people attended the day, raising an amazing total of £2,154.05 for the Hospice, which could cover the cost for 60 hours of specialist Inpatient care.
Supporters were spoiled for choice with a large selection of baked goods and refreshments, along with children’s games, a tombola, and a raffle with 40 prizes to celebrate 40 years of St Barnabas, which were kindly donated by local businesses.
The Watermill is well known to those who live in the area as a Grade II listed building from the late 17th century situated along the River Rase.
Attendees were able to enjoy the sunshine and catch up with their neighbours and meet new people, as well as take a tour of the Watermill and the grounds.
Ellie says: “This was such a feel-good day for our family and the whole community! Everyone said they had missed this social contact during the pandemic, and they all thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was an amazing turn out with such positive feedback and support”
“My family and friends who helped us had an amazing day and we can’t wait for it to become a yearly event”
Many thanks to Ellie, Mandy and Mark and of course everyone who attended, for their donations and support.
Care for a Cuppa is a new campaign by St Barnabas Hospice, which encourages supporters to put the kettle on and host their own coffee morning, to raise vital funds for the charity.
To find out more about Care for a Cuppa or to get started on hosting your own, click here.
For every pound raised for St Barnabas, 77p goes straight towards delivering, and improving the care and support the charity offers to over 12,000 people every year. The other 23p goes towards generating future income.
