Category: Stories
‘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
“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
“When my dad passed away, I thought that getting a Lottery number would be a way of remembering him.”
Trevor Farmer sadly died in 2007 after living with emphysema, a form of chronic lung disease, for several years. His wife, Pauline Farmer, dedicated her life to become his full-time carer but then fell ill herself in 2003 so went into hospital for tests. She had terminal cancer which had spread. She never came home from hospital.
Elaine Jackson, daughter of Trevor and 2007, said, “Dad was completely devastated and along with everything else, depression was added into the mix. Generally, Dad was a very chatty, funny man who loved to share a joke and never moaned, no matter how poorly he was. After Mum’s death though, it was so difficult to lift his spirits. 
“It was his GP who told us about the St Barnabas Day Therapy Centre on Hawthorn Road in Lincoln and I managed to convince him to go there.
“After only a few weeks he was looking better and beginning to enjoy his time there. He was very proud of some of the things he made and painted, he made friends and he had some lovely meals.
“In turn, he asked me to buy raffle tickets, he joined the St Barnabas Lottery and we bought items for raffles. Anything to try to say thank you for all the care they showed him on his visits.
“When dad passed away, I thought that getting a Lottery number would be a way of remembering him. He would be pleased I still help the Hospice in some way.
“The work the Hospice does is simply wonderful, whether it be the nursing care in the Hospice or the staff who work in the Day Therapy buildings. Both my dad and I were so well supported, and it was a relief to know how well he was looked after. The Hospice lifted his spirits and gave him a purpose once more.
“I only wish we had known about Mum’s diagnosis sooner, so she could have experienced the same level of care in her last few days or weeks.”
“We believed that even though Mum was dying, we were going to celebrate her life every step of the way.”
Our Winter Raffle is back with £4,000 in prizes up for grabs. It’s a great opportunity to support the Hospice whilst being in with a chance of winning!
Allison’s mum was cared for by our Hospice and she wanted to share how money raised from previous raffles has helped her mum die at home surrounded by family.
Allison said, “I can’t say thank you enough to those people who buy raffle tickets. Because of you, my mum had everything she wanted when she died. 
“My family and I decided to become Mum’s ‘cheering squad’. We bought pom poms to encourage her and raise her spirits. We believed that even though Mum was dying, we were going to celebrate her life every step of the way.
“Mum had always said she wanted to die at home, so we agreed to do everything possible to grant her this wish. We couldn’t have done it without the incredible Hospice at Home team from St Barnabas.
“The St Barnabas nurses made sure we weren’t alone in caring for her and ensured that both she and us had what we needed to care for her at home. They were angels.
“I spent four years working in retail for St Barnabas until I moved to Essex. The care Mum received is the sole reason I chose to work for such an incredible Hospice. I wanted to give back to ensure that others can continue to access an incredible service.”
Raffle tickets can be ordered from www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/winteraffle20 or purchased over the phone by calling 01522 546 500. The Raffle closes on Monday 30th March.
“I was astounded when I found out I had won the Lottery after Trevor died. I joined to give something back to the people who had done so much for Trevor and the family, but it was a lovely feeling to win.”
Janet Wilson joined the St Barnabas Hospice Lottery in September 2016 when her husband, Trevor, was being cared for by the Hospice after being diagnosed with prostate cancer age 56. She was astounded to hear that she had won £1,000 in June 2019, after only playing for less than three years.
Janet said, “I chose to support the Lottery because St Barnabas were so kind to my husband and family at a very difficult time. Trevor was such a lovely person. He was kind, caring, and a super husband and dad. Initially, he visited the Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln where he had relaxation sessions to help with his sleep. When he became too ill to leave the house, the St Barnabas Hospice at Home team came out to him and helped with his daily care. When he could no longer be cared for at home, Trevor was admitted to the Inpatient Unit, where he spent his last two weeks.”
Trevor sadly died, age 59, on Tuesday 30th May 2017.
Janet said, “The Friday before he died was a warm and sunny day. I was with my husband at the Hospice and the nurses opened the patio doors and wheeled Trevor’s bed out onto the patio. They even brought him an ice cream. I’m so thankful that we were able to enjoy this time together in the fresh air one last time, just like before he fell ill. We used to enjoy walking our dogs together and Trevor’s great love was fishing. St Barnabas even allowed the dogs, Arthur and Alfred, to come and visit him in the Hospice, which meant so much to him.
“The care Trevor received from St Barnabas was exemplary and the staff were always so caring and cheerful. In his final weeks, it was such a comfort that we weren’t restricted to visiting numbers and times, which meant he was often surrounded by people that cared for him and loved him.
“I was astounded when I found out I had won the Lottery after Trevor died. I joined to give something back to the people who had done so much for Trevor and the family, but it was a lovely feeling to win. I decided to split the winnings between my two children, which meant my son, Joe, was able to go on a camping holiday in the Lake District with his girlfriend, and my daughter and I had a shopping trip in Leeds.
“I will always support the Lottery and St Barnabas and would encourage more people to join me. It’s a fantastic way to donate to such a worthy cause and you never know, you might win like I did!”
The St Barnabas weekly Lottery costs just £1 per week to enter, with the chance of winning prizes up to £7,000. To find out more or sign up, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lottery.
“The St Barnabas team made sure our house still felt like a home, even though he was so poorly.”
Stevie French and her mum, Nikki, have said a huge thank you to St Barnabas Hospice for the care and support they gave the whole family when Stevie’s dad, Andy, was diagnosed with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in May 2017. CJD is a rare terminal condition which causes brain damage that worsens rapidly over time.
Stevie said, “Dad’s condition deteriorated very quickly, and he died on 21st July 2017. We had a few different carers visit the house, but our favourites by far were the St Barnabas Hospice at Home team. They helped every morning with getting Dad up and ready for the day. I found it so difficult to do the hands-on care as it was hard to see him this way. It was really comforting to know that St Barnabas were there to support us through the tough parts. 
“Dad was very social and loved being out and about doing things, so I know he wouldn’t have liked relying on other people for his care. The St Barnabas nurses were incredible as they made it feel like Dad needing help to change his clothes wasn’t that big a deal, so he could keep some dignity. They were so easy to talk to and fit straight in with our family.
“It was difficult to watch him becoming so vulnerable and having to rely on other people for support, but I gained a lot of comfort from St Barnabas looking after our family and helping as much as they did. During such a troubling time, this comfort was worth its weight in gold.”
Nikki added, “The respect that St Barnabas showed Andy was lovely and they made sure our house still felt like a home, even though he was so poorly. Their support meant more than can be said and I will be forever grateful to St Barnabas for helping us through such a difficult time.”
Last year, St Barnabas cared for 1,949 people in their own home. This is where they feel safe and comfortable and can spend precious time with their loved ones. The care St Barnabas provides is completely free of charge and they wouldn’t be able to provide this care without the generosity and kindness of their supporters. It costs the Hospice £136.67 to pay for a Hospice at Home nurse to visit a patient in their own home. If you can spare any money to help keep this free service going, please visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/donate.