Category: Stories
Wing walking in memory of an incredible lady
By Steph Armstrong, St Barnabas Hospice supporter
“This year my partner Micheal (37) is helping to raise money for St Barnabas. He is signed up to do the wing walk event on 8th August at Wickenby Airfield in Lincolnshire. We have supported the Hospice for a few years now, by taking part in some of the events to raise money. In 2019 we did the 5k Colour Dash which we really enjoyed doing together as a couple.
“We support the Hospice by taking part in events because St Barnabas supported my mum during her short illness. Her illness came so unexpectedly and it rocked the whole family. It was a devastating time and a sad situation to see our mum go through. She was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in September 2010 and sadly passed away peacefully within the care of St Barnabas Hospice on 26th February 2011, after receiving the vital care she needed towards the end of her life.
“She was a hardworking, caring mother of seven children, she always put herself last even when she was ill. She just cared about all of us children at the time and how things would affect us when she was gone. She loved driving in her car before she became ill, loved a magazine and good book. She was the manager in Cooplands bakery in Lincoln town centre. She was a lifetime partner to my dad Mark; they were together from teenagers up until the age of 39 when she sadly passed away. It left a big hole in all of our lives.
“Micheal is also raising money in memory of his friend’s mum who passed away in 2018 and was also cared for by the Hospice.
“Micheal has never done anything like this before. He is feeling good about doing the event, and looking forward to the whole experience. I am proud of him for helping the Hospice that supported my mum. I think for anyone considering doing the event I would just say the donations raised are going to such a great cause, supporting the care the Hospice is able to provide to patients and their families. For anyone considering the event, give it a go! It will be an unforgettable experience and we are looking forward to the event on the day.”
Click here to make a donation and support Micheal’s wing walking.
Click here to sign up and take part alongside him.
Tony Lake and Lindsay Nearn are taking part in Don’t Quit, Get Fit in memory of Tony’s grandma
Tony Lake and Lindsay Nearn have taken part in ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice in memory of Tony’s grandma. Their challenge was to run 100km each in January, as well as completing an additional 17.5km run from LJM Homecare to St Barnabas.
In total, the pair have raised more than £600 for the Hospice.
Tony said, “We decided that we wanted to push ourselves to feel healthier and raise money for a charity which we have worked closely with over the last few years. Both of us have battled with our weight in the past and have lost considerable amounts of weight. It’s the greatest feeling that we can now both do this!
“We have had regular contact with Paisley from St Barnabas who has been very keen to see where we are up to with our fundraiser and if there is anything else she can do to help. The positive support received is just brilliant and inspires us to push harder.
“I have worked closely with St Barnabas since 2012 and on a personal level, St Barnabas helped my grandma to get out of hospital and back home for her final days. It would be hard to find a single person in the area who hasn’t known someone that has been helped by St Barnabas.
“We are inspired to exercise by the fantastic feeling of accomplishment, mental health aid and generally feeling so much healthier in every aspect of life. As said by Kano Jigoro: “It is not important to be better than someone else, but to be better than yesterday.”
Tony and Lindsay are already planning their next challenge, which will be completing the Three Peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) within 24 hours.
Don’t Quit, Get Fit is completely free to sign up to. Those who create a fundraising page on JustGiving as part of their challenge will also receive a free St Barnabas water bottle.
Make a positive change in your life today, just like Tony and Lindsay, and sign up at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/dontquit
Jason Baker is taking part in Don’t Quit, Get Fit in memory of his mum
Jason Baker is planning to take on a marathon run this year for his ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ challenge in support of St Barnabas. He fundraises for the Hospice in memory of his mum, Heather Baker.
Jason said, “Mum was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease before spending her final weeks at the St Barnabas Hospice in the Hospital in Grantham. 
“My two brothers and I all took it in turns to stay with Mum overnight at the Hospice and the staff there could not do enough to help us. We often had takeaways and they made sure we had everything we needed.
“Mum was so proud of her Scottish heritage and we used to go up to Scotland every year for our holidays. She enjoyed a “wee dram of whisky” and always had “one for the road” even in her last days at the Hospice. The nurses told us mum would be gone soon and they helped us to play her favourite Scottish music and allowed us to give her a few drops of her favourite whisky.
“She passed away with dignity and in a peaceful environment.”
Already, Jason has been doing lots of running to raise money for St Barnabas. His reservoir challenge in 2020 saw him complete 14.8 miles of running around Draycote Reservoir, Ravensthorpe and Pitsford Reservoir.
Jason said, “I was having a think about my mum and thought how proud she would have been to see me running. That’s when the lightbulb moment happened… why don’t I run all three reservoirs together?
“My wife, Rachael inspired me to run. She had been running around two years before I decided to give it a go and I really admired her physical and mental strength. I was struggling with my mental health and looking back I think this was a delayed reaction to the passing of my mum. 
“My top tip for new runners is to set a goal to keep the motivation. Keep remembering that positive buzz you get after completing a run and don’t give in as it will get easier.
“When I first spoke to St Barnabas about my fundraising, their support was amazing. I had regular phone conversations with updates on the training and the fundraising pack, running shirt, neck scarf and gels were brilliant. I also joined their private Facebook group for other fundraising supporters like myself and the support and encouragement I got from this group was incredible.”
Don’t Quit, Get Fit is completely free to sign up to. Those who create a fundraising page on JustGiving as part of their challenge will also receive a free St Barnabas water bottle.
Make a positive change in your life today, just like Jason, and sign up at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/dontquit
Robin Mapleston is taking part in Don’t Quit, Get Fit with his son, Jack!
This year, Robin Mapleston and his son will be completing the challenge of climbing the UK’s tallest mountains (Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon) within a week, as part of St Barnabas Hospice’s ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ campaign. This follows on from a swimming challenge that Robin took part in last year where he swam 21 miles (the distance of the English Channel) in 21 days!
Robin said, “I very badly tore all my ankle ligaments in September 2020 and wanted a challenge to keep me active whilst I recovered. Swimming has always been a big part of my fitness routine but to challenge myself to swim further than I had done before over a short period of time was the perfect test. Raising more than £1,000 for St Barnabas (including Gift Aid) was an amazing way to stay focussed! Now I have this under my belt, I feel more confident my ankle will be ok to take on the mountains.”
£1,000 is an incredible amount of money and would fund 28 physiotherapy or occupational therapy sessions to help patients maintain their independence.
Robin added, “I started supporting St Barnabas Hospice after my mum was diagnosed with cancer. My son and I wanted to do something to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and she asked us to choose St Barnabas. Mum had a number of friends who were cared for by the Hospice, so it brings it close to home for us.
“Having the St Barnabas Fundraising team there to support me through my challenges has been invaluable. Whether it is a formal piece of support or simply a “well done,” it means the world when you’re in the middle of a challenge.
“I think that keeping fit and healthy is inspiration in itself. Once you break through the wall that inevitably hits everyone that takes on a challenge, you find a feeling of being alive and happy. Exercise has been so helpful for me during the pandemic. More so for children, where I run Zoom fitness sessions for my under 13’s rugby team to keep them exercising whilst schools and sports groups are closed.”
Don’t Quit, Get Fit is completely free to sign up to. Those who create a fundraising page on JustGiving as part of their challenge will also receive a free St Barnabas water bottle.
Make a positive change in your life today, just like Robin, and sign up at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/dontquit
Mike Bosnell is taking part in Don’t Quit, Get Fit with his dog, Florrie!
Mike Bosnell took up running during the first lockdown using the ‘couch to 5k’ challenge and then joined St Barnabas Hospice for ‘Gone Running’ along with his partner’s dog, Florrie. He has now taken up the Hospice’s ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ challenge and will be using it as training for the Great North Run in September.
Mike said, “There could be no better cause than St Barnabas and I want to do my bit to repay the kindness and care they gave my mum when she passed away.
“My dad once said to me, “your mum’s the best friend you’ll ever have,” which was so true. Mum was caring, loving and always there for me. We had many laughs over the years and our love was unconditional. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I was simply devastated. It is still so very hard now; even the simplest of things can sometimes bring tears.
“St Barnabas came to her house and cared for her, allowing her to remain at home until she passed away. Their care was unbelievable, and it had the personal touch.
Mike is currently doing two four-mile runs and one six-mile run each week as he trains for the Great North Run. His plan is to slowly build distance in order to reach the thirteen-mile target.
Mike said, “Running gives me a massive fitness boost and has greatly helped with a heart and blood pressure condition which I was diagnosed with. My most recent annual check-up was the best I have ever had, with both my heart rate and blood pressure being normal! After telling my doctor about the running I have taken up, he told me not to stop and explained in more detail how the running was helping me.
“For anyone just starting out with running, my main piece of advice is to get the correct running shoes. I went to Lincolnshire Runner, explained the type of running I was doing, and they did the rest for me! I also think you need to be sensible with distances and always make sure to warm up.
“For my Don’t Quit, Get Fit challenge, I will be maintaining my three-day running programme each week along with Florrie. The support I received from St Barnabas has been second to none. They have helped with everything from running kit to suggested training programmes and are always on the end of the phone if I need anything.”
Don’t Quit, Get Fit runs from January to March 2021 and it is completely free to sign up. Those who create a fundraising page on JustGiving as part of their challenge will also receive a free St Barnabas water bottle.
Make a positive change in your life today, just like Mike, and sign up at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/dontquit
‘This Dad Can Run’ blogger is fundraising for St Barnabas Hospice in memory of his father
Austin Sheppard is the inspirational St Barnabas supporter behind the ‘This Dad Can Run’ blog and Instagram page. His running journey was inspired by his children and he now uses this platform to support other runners, talk about mental health and raise vital money for charities. One charity which he has recently been supporting is St Barnabas Hospice, who cared for his dad, Alan, during the last few weeks of his life.
Austin said, “Dad was a larger than life character in many ways; he would talk to anyone and everyone, making time to ask people how they were. I have so many great memories of running and walking together with him. 
“In 2014 Dad had a fall at home and hit his head. The hospital raised concerns about his breathing and discovered that he had been living with fluid on his lungs and heart. They were amazed he had survived so far. Further tests showed he had stomach cancer and he received the terminal diagnosis in September 2014.
“St Barnabas looked after Dad very well in his last few weeks when his condition had deteriorated dramatically. Their care was so needed, and I feel thankful that he had their support.
“He enjoyed banter and chats with the staff, and they were able to support him to move from the Grantham Hospice in the Hospital back to his house, which was his final wish. He came home on the Saturday and passed away the following Monday, exactly where he wanted to be.
“After he passed, my mum was able to access the St Barnabas bereavement counselling group where she made friends that she is still in regular contact with. The wider support for the family is so important and has been a lifeline for Mum.
“Donations from Dad’s funeral went to the Hospice, but I have been thinking for a long time about doing something else to support them. So, the hat campaign was born!
“I wanted to do something that stood out and captured people’s imaginations, so I sourced and funded a large bulk order of ‘This Dad Can Run’ bobble hats and began giving them to anyone who made a donation to St Barnabas through my JustGiving page. Around 40 have been given out so far, and I think we are on track to raise in the region of £800!” 
This January, St Barnabas Hospice launched a free virtual challenge for supporters to take part in, called Don’t Quit, Get Fit. The Hospice are challenging people of all ages and fitness levels to get up off the sofa and get active in any way they choose.
Austin said, “The Don’t Quit, Get Fit initiative looks great! With 2020 and 2021 being the way they are, having a virtual challenge is the perfect way to start a fitness journey. The extra motivation of setting up a JustGiving page and raising funds for St Barnabas is sure to help you on the way, and they are even giving out free water bottles to anyone who pledges to fundraise.
“Personally, I absolutely love the idea of taking on a long-distance running challenge like running 34 miles – the equivalent of running between their Lincoln and Grantham buildings.
“Some people might be thinking that exercise isn’t for them, but I want to reassure those people that you can take things at your own pace and are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Be brave!
“I always used to be active growing up, but had slipped into a sedentary lifestyle after retiring from rugby in 2017. My kids saw an old picture of me playing rugby and didn’t recognise me, so it was the wake up call I needed. I weighed 22 stone when I did my first run, struggled round the 5k circuit, but I did it! I continued to run every day that month, lost 1.5 stone and just carried on from there.
“Running has totally transformed my mental and physical health. I now run five or more times each week and have so much energy to do simple things like playing with the kids. My seven-year-old son sometimes joins me on his bike and even runs for shorter distances with me.”
Don’t Quit, Get Fit runs from January to March 2021 and it is completely free to sign up. Those who create a fundraising page on JustGiving as part of their challenge will also receive a free St Barnabas water bottle.
Make a positive change in your life today, just like Austin, and sign up at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/dontquit
Follow Austin on Instagram at @thisdadcanrun
Year of the Nurse – Sue Scully
At St Barnabas, we are celebrating #YearOfTheNurse by highlighting some of our wonderful nursing staff working across Lincolnshire. Sue Scully has worked here for nineteen years. She works in the North-West Community Services team, focusing on Day Therapy in Lincoln.
Sue said, “My favourite thing about my job is being able to care for and support the families that come into our service and knowing that we make a difference to people. We are with them at such a frightening time and share that journey, wherever it may take them.
“St Barnabas gives us the time, education and resources to care for very vulnerable patients and their loved ones and my team is simply amazing. I remember taking a patient to see Lincoln City play, which was a special moment for him and those with him.
“My mother-in-law was cared for by the St Barnabas Hospice at Home team and died in the Inpatient Unit. The care our family received was just outstanding.”
Thank you so much to Sue for her dedication to St Barnabas over the years, and the compassionate way she cares for our patients.
#YearOfTheNurse
Memories of Mum
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