Category: Stories
Jess Braves Second Fire Walk to Support St Barnabas
27-year-old Jess Meakin is taking on the Fire Walk challenge for a second time in support of St Barnabas Hospice.
Taking place at William Farr School on 15th March, Jess will feel the burn once again as she walks across hot coals, all while raising vital funds and taking the ultimate step to support hospice care.
In October 2023 Jess, alongside the group she completed the challenge with, raised an impressive £875 for St Barnabas. 
Jess says: “I was inspired to take part in the Fire Walk last year as I have lost many loved ones who were supported by St Barnabas Hospice, and I wanted to give back to the charity that supported my loved ones in their time of need.”
Fire Walk is one of the most challenging, adrenaline-fuelled journeys and it’s exactly as it sounds: a barefoot walk over red-hot embers, measuring 600°C.
Looking back on her experience, Jess comments: “Completing the Fire Walk gave me a huge sense of achievement, knowing that I had put myself out of my comfort zone to raise money for such an amazing cause, to help the selfless staff at St Barnabas help others.
“I felt reflective of the hard times that my loved ones had experienced and wished they had been there to watch and laugh as I walked on fire.”
Take part in this challenge alongside Jess and raise vital funds for local hospice care. With guidance from firewalking experts, you’ll be fully prepared to conquer the heat and earn your medal at the finish line. Every step you take will support dignity and care in your community, and we will support you all the way.
Jess continues: “I would recommend anyone who can to take part in the Fire Walk. It’s such a fun, buzzing environment and something different. Not only that, but by taking part you’re contributing to making even the smallest difference to someone’s life, their loved ones’ lives, and the Hospice in general.”
Jess shares her advice for those considering doing the Fire Walk challenge this year: “Don’t think twice about getting signed up and doing it, it is so worth it.”
As well as a brilliant crowd who will fan the flames with their cheers, we’ll be in the company of local food suppliers – including Charlie Bobanelli’s pizza & Fleurs Kitchen crepes and refreshments, for a well-earned treat after your challenge.
Sign up today for just £30 and fundraise £100 in sponsorship, to help us continue providing compassionate care across Lincolnshire. Alternatively, you can pay £130 in full to secure your place.
To sign up for the Fire Walk challenge, visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/firewalk-2025/
In loving memory of G
Meet Scooby, St Barnabas’ new in-training therapy dog!
Described as a “gentle giant”, Scooby, a two-and-a-half-year-old Red Fox Labrador, is currently training to be a dual therapy dog with owner Jo White, Counselling Service Manager, at St Barnabas.
Jo says: “He has been an absolute gift. He only came to us the week before Christmas, after his previous owner died, and he’s got the perfect temperament to be a therapy dog. So, I started to bring him into work and look at what he can do, and he is now officially in training to be a therapy dog.”
To become a therapy dog, Scooby needs to pass the Kennel Club Good Citizen scheme at the silver level, as a minimum.
Jo continues: “We’ve just finished the bronze level, and that’s all the basics of sit, stay, wait, and heel, for example. We’re now working on the silver level, which is a little bit more difficult. We’re currently trying to get him to sit and wait before coming through a door. He’ll also go through a temperament check and if he passes, he can then be classed as a therapy dog, and we’ll move to the next stages.
“Walking to heel has been our greatest achievement so far. When we first got him, we had Mr Tickle arms! He also brings his ball back now when we’re playing, so we can throw it for him, rather than us having to walk across the field to collect it.” 
Although he was initially nervous around walkers and wheelchairs, they’ve had support from the wider team to improve his confidence. Jo, Housekeeper at Lincoln’s Wellbeing Centre, has been welcoming Scooby in a wheelchair and offering him treats to help him feel more at ease.
Jo adds: “I got called up to the Inpatient Unit one day and had Scooby with me. The nurses asked if he could come and see a patient who was having a really low day. So, he did, and the man invited him onto the bed where Scooby laid down with him and they snuggled together bringing the most wonderful smile to the patients face. That’s really what I want Scooby to be, a presence on the wards, attending therapy sessions with me, going to the bereavement groups and bringing a smile to people’s faces. It’s such a pleasure to see the joy he brings to people.”
“In the future, I’d also love to do some therapy dog walks, either where people can bring their own dogs along or they can have the comfort of having Scooby there.”
We’re excited to welcome Scooby to the St Barnabas family! We’ll be following his journey to become a therapy dog, sharing updates as he progresses through training and celebrating his achievements.
Jo says: “Everybody in the Wellbeing Centre loves him. The Maintenance Team now have Scooby snacks in their office!
I would describe him as my ‘once in a lifetime’ dog. I drive a little Beetle, he sits in the back, and we’re hilarious! I’ve fallen in love with him, and he loves me the way I love him.”
To keep up to date with Scooby’s journey, follow us on our social media channels. To find out more about the Wellbeing Services at St Barnabas, please visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/wellbeing/
Celebrating our Hidden Teams at St Barnabas: Hotel Services
St Barnabas has over 300 members of clinical and non-clinical staff working to support our vision – a world where dying with dignity, compassion and having choices is a fundamental part of a life.
The hard work and dedication of all our staff ensures we can continue providing vital end of life care, across Lincolnshire. Each month we’ll be shining a spotlight on a hidden team and highlighting the incredible work they do to support St Barnabas.
The Hotel Services department work behind the scenes at St Barnabas, caring for patients, staff, and visitors with dedication and compassion, 365 days a year.
The catering team provides a year-round service, offering fresh, bespoke meals tailored to each patient’s specific dietary needs. From breakfast to lunch and teatime, every meal is prepared with love and care. Additionally, the team provide working lunches for meetings and training sessions at our satellite sites.
Wayne Banks, Hotel Services Supervisor, says: “We work closely with the clinical staff to ensure that the food we prepare meets the specific needs of each patient. Each patient has a nutritional diet sheet that outlines their requirements, and we take great care in preparing fresh meals that are tailored to those needs.
“We offer a bespoke service, catering to exactly what patients want and when they want it. Recently, we had a request for pie, mash, and liquor, which is a traditional London dish. A friend of mine shared a recipe for the liquor sauce, which we were then able to make for the patient, bringing them a taste of home and comfort.”
The housekeeping team maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene across all St Barnabas estate buildings. They ensure that every patient, staff member, and visitor feels comfortable and supported within our spaces.
Geraldine Brown, Housekeeper at the Inpatient Unit, says: “Our responsibilities are keeping the place clean and doing laundry for the patients. But, it’s also about having camaraderie with the patients, having a chat with them and their families while you’re working around them.”
Wayne continues: “Every day working here is a highlight. We serve patients twice a day and focus on building both professional and personal relationships. Providing freshly made meals is vital as it lifts their spirits and makes them feel cared for. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much it means to the patients.”
Geraldine adds: “The most enjoyable part of the role for me is the atmosphere within the Hospice and working as part of a friendly team.”
Thank you to the Hotel Services Team. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated.
St Barnabas supporter Ian Callaghan ran 5k every hour for 24 hours, to support local hospice care
Ian Callaghan, from Skellingthorpe, set himself the challenge of running 5k every hour for 24 hours, to celebrate his 50th birthday and raise vital funds for St Barnabas Hospice.
On Saturday 18th May 2024, Ian started his challenge in Skellingthorpe at 8am with a run to join the Lincoln parkrun. He then returned to Skellingthorpe to complete 21 different laps of the village.
Ian said: “Added up, the completed run was just short of three marathons or around 122 kilometres, in a day.”
His fantastic accomplishment raised an incredible £1,101 for St Barnabas Hospice.
When asked why he took on this challenge, Ian said: “I wanted to do something really challenging. I’ve done marathons, ultra-marathons, I’ve ran hills and mountains, but I wanted to try something a bit different.
“And I wanted to choose a challenge that would involve a lot more people and get them to join in.”
The local community were invited to show their support along the way or run a 5k, or more, alongside Ian on the day.
As Club Chair of Lincs Run Club, Ian has supported St Barnabas in the past. Last year the club organised a series of social runs in Lincoln to raise awareness of the St Barnabas Hospice heART trail, as well as encouraging donations to the Hospice.
Ian said: “Raising money for St Barnabas has been brilliant. They’re there at the end of a phone and the email communication is really good. If you’re up for a challenge and want to support St Barnabas, check out their website.”
Make 2025 the year you take on a new challenge and give back. Accomplish new goals such as running a marathon, taking on skydiving, or increasing your daily step count, whilst raising funds for local hospice care.
All donations raised through challenges contribute to the funding of St Barnabas’ vital services, helping to provide essential hospice care to over 12,000 people annually.
Over £7 million needs to be raised each year to support St Barnabas in providing people with compassionate care in Lincolnshire.
To take part in an upcoming challenge or choose your own for St Barnabas, visit the website and sign up today. https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/fundraising/challenges/
Dan fundraises in memory of his dad Chris, who was his “best mate”
Dan Wells-Waller, from Louth, organised a local 5k run last year in honour of his dad, Chris, who died the day before. His fundraising challenge raised over £3,000 for St Barnabas Hospice, whose Hospice at Home team had cared for Chris.
Since then, Dan has supported St Barnabas as Lead Torchbearer at the 2024 Torchlight Procession and plans to run 60k this year to mark what would have been his dad’s 60th birthday.
Chris was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020, which had a great impact on the family.
Dan said: “Over time, it brought us closer than ever. We always had hope, but the cancer started to spread and three Christmases in a row, news of the cancer getting worse was given to us. Even with this he still had a smile on his face.”
Described as a caring person who always had time for people, Chris never stopped to complain and simply got on with what he wanted to do. A loyal follower of MotoGP, he visited his favourite track, Mugello in Italy, after his diagnosis.
“He travelled without travel insurance, much to our worries. He never gave up and pushed what he could do whether it was working or travelling through the chemo.”
A perfectionist in everything he did, from his livelihood – farm work to modest tasks such as packing the dishwasher. The farm meant everything to Chris, and Dan explains:
“He was the only farmer I know who had clean overalls folded neatly in his tractor.
The week before he died, it had come to a point where he struggled to speak as he was in pain. He rang me one morning to check that the fertiliser had been applied to the field before the rain. Thinking he’d started to recover because he was talking, I went to go see him. He was still in the same pain, he just wanted to make sure the farm would be fine when I took over.”
Chris was cared for by St Barnabas’ Hospice at Home community team in his own home, where he died aged 59.
“I can’t begin to thank the nurses enough. St Barnabas’ care granted his final wish – which was to die at home with his family around him. He wouldn’t have had this without that care. They were excellent, and were there not just for him, but for all of us every single day.
“Having four years to prepare for his death allowed me to appreciate the time I had with him, and who he was. But this can never be enough when it finally comes. I worked every day with him through harvest, and more than my dad, he was my best mate.”
Dan had planned to take part in a run in Manchester before his dad died. As the event neared, he didn’t feel comfortable travelling away from his dad, so he chose to organise a 5k in Louth instead, inviting others to join him in supporting St Barnabas.
“Unfortunately, the night before the run he passed away, so I knew we had to still do this for him. The amount of people who turned up was amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough for making an amazing day, to celebrate his life and support a great cause.”
Dan shares his advice for those considering doing a challenge for St Barnabas this year: “Just do it! I’ve always been worried to do a fundraiser in the fear that no one would donate. But you don’t know until you try and no matter how much you raise; it all goes to a great cause.”
St Barnabas Hospice supports over 12,000 patients and their families, and over £7 million needs to be raised each year to continue providing people with compassionate care in Lincolnshire.
From skydiving to running marathons, and cycling long distances to undertaking a steps challenge, there are a variety of ways to push yourself, test your stamina and support local hospice care. Whatever your fitness level, ability or age, there is something for everyone.
All donations raised contribute to the funding of St Barnabas’ vital services, enabling more people to receive specialist end-of-life care and more families to receive bereavement support.
To take part in an upcoming challenge or choose your own for St Barnabas, visit the website and sign up today. https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/fundraising/challenges/
Suzanne Sheppard dedicates a light in memory of her beloved sister: “All the nurses got her smiling, even when she was at her lowest.”
“This Christmas will be another without my sister Caroline, but it warms my heart to know that we can still celebrate her remarkable life thanks to Light up a Life, where one of the symbolic lights on the Tree of Life will be shining brightly in memory of her.”
Suzanne Sheppard, originally from Grantham, lost her big sister Caroline in the summer of 2023, who she describes as a strong, independent and career-driven woman.
Caroline was the oldest of three sisters and ‘the boss’ of her entire family. She loved to spend time gardening and baking and was devoted to her husband and family.
Suzanne said: “My big sis particularly loved live music and enjoyed going to watch her favourite bands perform.”
For many years, Caroline experienced regular discomfort but after several tests, nothing was detected. Unfortunately further scans discovered tumours, and devastatingly, Caroline was diagnosed with terminal endometrial perinatal metastasis.
Suzanne continues: “Caroline’s cancer diagnosis turned our lives upside down. At the time she had only been married a couple of months.
“Initially she was treated with chemotherapy, followed by a hysterectomy with the hope of removing all the tumours. However, this was unsuccessful, and her treatment continued, with further chemotherapy and a number of clinical trials.”
At the very beginning of this journey, Caroline contacted St Barnabas, and both herself and her family began to benefit from their services.
Suzanne shares more about their experience: “Caroline had counselling sessions as well as Hospice at Home support. In particular, her nurse Majella was amazing and became a new strength for Caroline, and us, when times were tough.
“I was also able to receive counselling, which was amazing at providing me with a better outlook on some of the difficult questions I had.”
Sadly, even after further surgery, Caroline’s cancer spread to her lungs and liver.
Suzanne continues: “In June 2023, Caroline was admitted to the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in Lincoln. I would describe it as a place of care with such a warm, homely vibe and a great cup of tea.
“The Hospice staff and volunteers were amazing. I remember one day when she was quite weak, a volunteer had her laughing, and it was so lovely to see. All the team got her smiling even when she was at her lowest. They treated her with so much dignity and respect.”
Unfortunately, Caroline’s condition didn’t improve and she died on Monday 3rd July, less than one week before her 51st birthday.
Suzanne said: “On the morning Caroline died, the Inpatient staff gave us the time and space we needed to be with her and gather our thoughts.
“They lit a candle for her and another lady who had passed, and I found such comfort from that alone. They looked after her in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”
This Christmas, St Barnabas Hospice invite you to dedicate a light on their Tree of Life and attend the Torchlight Procession on Tuesday 19th November.
“Our mother and I attended the Torchlight Procession last year, just before our first Christmas without Caroline. It was such a memorable event, and we found peace in sharing the experience with others who had lost a loved one.
“This Christmas, please join me in remembering your loved ones in a celebration of light. I am inviting you to dedicate your light for a loved one so they can shine brightly on St Barnabas Hospice’s beautiful Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral.”
You can remember anyone with a light, not just those cared for by the Hospice. As a thank you and token for your loved one, St Barnabas will send you a personalised card and special tree decoration in the post.
Your donation for a light could pay for more people like Caroline, and her family, to receive specialist end-of-life care during the most difficult of times.
“The St Barnabas nurses that visited my sister at home were a huge support to her and us. I look forward to seeing so many special people being remembered through the Feathers from Above appeal alongside her, this spring.”
“My name is Rebekah, and I would like to share with you some very special news about how St Barnabas is helping people like us remember loved ones this spring. When my sister Natalie died, my family and I wanted to find ways to support the Hospice. Now I can honour her memory with a personalised ironwork feather, and you can do the same for your loved ones.
“My sister, Natalie, was a funny, kind, and beautiful mother, sister, and auntie. She loved everybody she met and was so generous.
“In April 2021, at age just 33, she was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Natalie appeared healthy and full of life, so it seemed impossible that anything could ever take her from us, from her children. In May 2022, I realised that we didn’t have much time left with her at all.
“The St Barnabas nurses that visited Natalie at home, were a huge support to her and us, as a family. They could not do enough for Natalie in the final weeks of her life, going above and beyond to make sure that she was comfortable.
“We have seen first-hand just what a difference St Barnabas makes to its patients and their families, which included the invaluable help and support members of our family received after Natalie’s death. This wouldn’t have been possible, were it not for kind-hearted people like yourself who have donated to the Hospice in memory of loved ones. St Barnabas Hospice supports and cares for over 12,000 people across Lincolnshire every year and with your support, I know they will be able to continue to do so for years to come.
“I am excited to share with you that when you purchase your ironwork feather, it will appear in a beautiful display, made possible thanks to Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds.
“The ironwork feathers are made at three different heights to create a moving display of art that will interact with the wind. At the end of the display, you will be invited to choose the feather that resonates with you the most and collect the personalised tag with your loved one’s name, to take home and display forever.
“To purchase your feather, you can visit the St Barnabas Hospice website or, you can fill out the enclosed form and post it back to us.
“The moving Feathers from Above display will be open to visit from Saturday 4th May to Friday 17th May and you can book to visit through the St Barnabas Hospice website. You will receive a unique code for one free entry with every feather purchased. For other visitors, the entry fee is £8 per person (50% of which will be retained by St Barnabas) and free for children under 16 years old.
“There is also an opportunity to view the display at night, with specially curated lighting, photos of the loved ones, music, and a welcome drink. The reflection evenings are taking place on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd May. Tickets are £10 per person, and you can book a time to visit through the St Barnabas website.
“Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and hear about how much St Barnabas means to our family and so many others. I look forward to seeing so many special people being remembered through the Feathers from Above appeal alongside my sister, this spring.”
Best wishes,
Rebekah Watson
“The only way to describe the nurses at St Barnabas Hospice are angels.”
Sophie Butcher from Lincoln, sadly lost her father Alan Thompson before getting married, who she describes as a proud Belfast man, positive in the face of adversity and unwaveringly devoted to fatherhood.
Alan was an avid Ulster rugby supporter who was passionate about the sport and enjoyed the friendly rivalry of the England Vs Ireland six nation matches. He was a true sportsman and loved to attend games in support of his team.
In February 2022, Alan was unfortunately diagnosed with primary stage 4 lung cancer.
Sophie says: “Dad was a devoted father to me. Despite being 29 years old when he passed, he was adamant that he wanted to protect his little girl and refused to admit the reality of how poorly he
actually was.
“He was stubborn in the best way, would tell me to stop making such a fuss, that he would be out of the Hospice soon and would attend my wedding, even though I knew the reality we were facing.
As Alan’s only child, his diagnosis was devastating for Sophie and her now husband, Morgan. All whilst dealing with the difficult news alongside their family, Sophie was her dad’s main support, attending every medical appointment and helping him make plans for the future.
Unfortunately, Alan’s cancer eventually progressed to secondary brain cancer.
Sophie continues: “Dad’s diagnosis had a massive impact on me. My family members, friends, and husband Morgan, were all a great support which I am extremely lucky to have.”
Support and care for both Alan and Sophie was eventually extended by the services of St Barnabas Hospice. After some initial reservations about the nature of his condition and the care that he needed, Alan was provided with a space at the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln.
Sophie says: “Despite remaining stubborn and originally refusing hospice care, Dad absolutely loved the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit.
“Whilst no one wants their parent in a hospice, knowing he was genuinely happy there made the process so much easier for me.”
Alan was looked after by St Barnabas nurses at the Inpatient Unit, receiving vital medical care and pain relief. Alongside this, advice was provided to Sophie concerning any questions she had about her dad’s condition and what to expect next.
Sophie says: “Dad received the best care possible from all the staff at St Barnabas. The staff were respectful and accommodating of my unique family situation, and gave dad everything he asked for, including his favourite foods on demand.
“Due to dad having broken legs as a result of his cancer, he was on an inflatable mattress, and he was unable to walk. Whenever he wanted fresh air, the staff transferred him to another mattress and wheeled him outside. I often came to find him relaxing in his bed in the garden, with a newspaper in one hand and a drink in the other.
“The only way to describe the nurses at the Hospice are literal angels.”
For the final day of Alan’s remarkable life, he found peace at the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in Lincoln, with Sophie and his family by his bedside.
Sophie continues: “When I arrived on the day that my dad passed, I noticed another bed had been made up ready for me, opposite Dad, should I need to rest myself.
“At lunch time, the kitchen staff came to me and said they were making me lunch. Despite saying I wasn’t hungry she said, ‘I’m not leaving until you give me a decision and try eat even a little bit of it’.
“After dad passed, the nurses on duty gave us time as a family around my dad. They came in and placed a candle next to him, dimmed all the lights and played relaxing music, as well as bringing a trolley of tea in silently.
“These respectful gestures really helped me feel at ease and peace. I asked them what I needed to do next, and they said to go home and relax, they will ring me in a few days, and they will talk me through everything. Again, another massive weight lifted.
“The whole process of losing my dad was heartbreaking, but the staff at St Barnabas made the worst time so much easier”.
In honour of her father Alan, Sophie and her husband Morgan have and continue to take part in many fundraising initiatives and events in support of St Barnabas Hospice. They donated money raised at Alan’s funeral, Morgan took part in a 15,000ft skydive, they are both planning to run the Lincoln 10K in April 2024 and continue to play the weekly lottery.
As Alan sadly died before Sophie and Morgan’s wedding in November 2023, they honoured the father of the bride by providing guests with St Barnabas scratch card wedding favours, and even
donated the winnings back to the charity.
St Barnabas Hospice are a local, independent charity, providing free support to over 12,000 people like Alan and Sophie, each year, in Lincolnshire.
If you would like to make a donation, fundraise for the charity, or find out more about the services it provides, please visit www.StBarnabasHospice.co.uk
Hospice supporter Kate Francis takes on a 160 mile cycle challenge across Lincolnshire in celebration of the HeART Trail
On Monday 21st August 2023, fundraiser Kate Francis started her challenge of cycling 160 miles between the HeART Trail Sculpture across Lincolnshire, in support of St Barnabas.
Split across 6 days, Kate is hoping to cycle from Gainsborough to Louth, whilst stopping at each of the 30 HeARTs that together form the St Barnabas Hospice HeART Trail, to raise vital funds for local Hospice Care.
When asked why she was taking on this challenge, Kate said: “I first saw the ‘HeART of the Community’ HeART at Sutton on Sea while visiting my family. That night, I thought how amazing it would be to do a bike ride between all the HeARTs to raise funds and awareness for St Barnabas. So, I decided I was going to do it!
“Along with camping kit I already have, a friend has lent me a touring bike and some amazing campsites have given me free or reduced rate accommodation. I am super grateful to everyone that has helped me.
Kate’s decision to take on this challenge to support St Barnabas was influenced by a recent experience her family had with the Hospice.
“St Barnabas came into our family’s life at the beginning of this year, when a very close family member needed to receive care and support. The Hospice supported my family member with weekly visits from nurses and their Occupational Therapist, in addition to assisting with prescriptions, appointments and securing vital equipment.
The Hospice helped make all of us feel as supported as possible in such a horrible situation. The whole family and I will be forever grateful for their amazing work.
So far, with the help of friends and family, Kate has managed to raise an incredible £439, with the hopes to smash her target of £500! If you can support Kate, please sponsor her by going to her JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kate-cycles-heart-trail
On behalf of everyone at St Barnabas Hospice, thank you, Kate, for your incredible inspirational fundraising challenge, that will make a real difference to hospice care across our County.
Dunston school raises £1,500 for St Barnabas with fun-day
St Peter’s C of E Primary School recently celebrated the life of their beloved Mrs Popple, who provided wraparound care at the school until her sudden death last year.
The celebrations took place on 20th July, one year since Sharon Popple’s sadly died. They aimed to raise £500 for St Barnabas Hospice, a charity that meant a lot to Sharon and the whole school.
All staff members, children and their parents turned out to take part in the fun-day which included a tombola, bouncy castle, water activities, a flyover from the Red Arrows, and the children competing in Sharon’s favourite activity of all: Dunston’s Got Talent.
At the end of this extraordinary day the school had smashed their £500 target, raising over £1,500 for their favourite charity, St Barnabas Hospice.
Emma Toulson, Deputy at St Peter’s School, said: “Mrs Popple was the beating heart of our school.
“Her infectious personality and wicked sense of humour made everyone feel like they truly mattered and she kept us laughing every day. She was a ‘mother’ to all and gave the best hugs.
“She loved sunflowers, so our children have made a sunflower memorial which takes pride of place inside the school. We remember her warmth and caring nature, and we miss her every day.
“We have supported St Barnabas for years by taking part in their annual festive funrun Rudy’s Run and the children have created a heart sculpture for the Young at HeART Trail which is currently on display at the Waterside in Lincoln.
“St Barnabas is such an important charity for the community and many staff members from our school’s overarching Spire Federation have received care and support from them. This day of activities is a way of giving back while remembering our incredible Mrs Popple.”
St Barnabas in an independent, local charity that supports over 12,000 patients, their families, and carers each year. Annually they need to raise over £6.5 million to keep providing their compassionate, dignified care to people with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
This free care is provided in people’s own homes, as well as in two Hospice buildings and six Wellbeing Centres around the county.
Every pound raised truly matters to St Barnabas, who give their sincere thanks to all children, parents, teachers and staff members for their generous support. St Peter’s School’s incredible donation of £1,500 could pay for 79 hours care of patients in their own home, which costs the charity £18.84 per hour.
To find out more about St Barnabas and the care services it provides to the people of Lincolnshire every day, visit: www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Photo of two women: L-R Abigail Burland and Emma Toulson