Category: Stories
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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.
Supporter wins £1,000 in weekly lottery and reclaims her garden
Gainsborough resident Ruth Neller recently won a whopping £1,000 in the weekly St Barnabas Hospice lottery, which she used to purchase a new fence.
Ruth has been supporting the charity via the lottery for years, after having great experiences with St Barnabas through the care that was provided to her parents towards the ends of their lives.
Ruth says: “Over the years I have had several £10 wins, which I have been donating back to the charity, but I could hardly believe it when I had a phone call from the lottery office to let me know that I had won £1,000!
“I was especially happy to win such a large amount because very recently a neighbour has removed a boundary hedge, leaving my sitting room and garden exposed to the view of a whole row of houses. This money has enabled me to have a fence built to restore my privacy (see picture), and I was also able to donate £100 back to St Barnabas.”
Ruth’s father Les had cancer of the bowel and liver, and was cared for at St Barnabas through his final three weeks before his death in September 1994. Ruth and her mother Margaret tried to nurse Les at home, but they felt it was much better for him when he was eventually admitted to St Barnabas.
About this experience, Ruth says: “I was working full time and it was such a relief that I was able to visit whenever I wished, and the staff made us feel so welcome.”
Sadly, within a year Margaret was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and while she was living in her own home, she took part in many of the St Barnabas day centre activities. Margaret especially enjoyed the art classes and was interviewed by BBC Radio Lincolnshire to promote an art exhibition organised by St Barnabas.
When it became hard for Ruth and her family to control Margaret’s pain at home, she too was admitted to the hospice where she died in March 1997.
Ruth comments: “My parents were married for 41 years, and they were both nursed with compassion and love. I was able to visit them and grieve for them, and not feel guilty or worried when I left them to return home.
“Staff alerted my brother and I when their deaths were imminent so that we were able to be there when they died, which was important to me and which I truly believe eased their passings.
“Since the death of my father, I have supported the hospice in a variety of ways as a way of saying thank you, and so that others might benefit from their services. The lottery is one such way.”
For just £1 per week, you can raise funds for your local hospice while being in with the chance of winning up to £1,000, just like Ruth. Members are allocated their own unique lottery number and all prizes are posted to winners, so you do not have to claim a prize manually.
To sign up to play, visit the website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lottery/
Local PE teacher takes on 15,000 feet mountain to fundraise for St Barnabas
At the end of July, Rick Freeman from Lincoln took on a truly massive challenge in support of St Barnabas Hospice – reaching the summit of Matterhorn in the Alps.
The Matterhorn’s summit is about 15,000 feet and is one of the tallest peaks in the Alps, as well as one of the deadliest climbs in the world. This trek is extremely perilous, with around 12 people each year dying attempting to climb the mountain.
The famous mountain is near-symmetrical and is also featured on the packaging of Toblerone chocolate. The trek took two days to complete, after three days acclimatisation and training, and was an incredible challenge.
Rick is a PE teacher for a secondary school in Sleaford and started training for the trek last year. Through JustGiving he fundraised £2,560 in support of St Barnabas Hospice, and managed to reach the summit unscathed.
Rick says: “One of my aims was to raise funds for St Barnabas Hospice, who support many families within Lincolnshire. The care and support they offer needs to be maintained at this globally difficult time.
“I aim to promote self-belief, a strong positive mindset and a can-do attitude through my work in schools to encourage students to be the best people they can be. I hope by taking on this challenge, I can help further inspire them!
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their donations and for supporting the challenge.”
Decades-long St Barnabas supporter raises £5,000
Joyce Smith, who has been supporting St Barnabas Hospice for over 30 years through fundraising and volunteering, was planning on taking on an incredible challenge to raise vital funds for the charity.
Joyce wanted to trek across the Great Wall of China, and raised £5,000 which she has donated to St Barnabas. The trip was originally booked for 2020, but due to Covid the adventure was postponed, and after multiple attempts at rescheduling the adventure has now sadly been cancelled by a third-party organiser.
Walking over the Great Wall of China had been on Joyce’s ‘bucket list’ and with help from her daughter Lyndsay she organised the trip for 2020. To raise as much as possible for St Barnabas, Joyce decided to ask family and friends to sponsor her.
In 2019, Joyce and her husband Paul celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and rather than asking for gifts at their party, they asked for donations for the China trip instead.
On top of the contributions they received at the party, daughter Lyndsay’s best friend Clare Senior entered a competition at her workplace with the first prize being a cheque of £3,000 to donate to a charity of the winner’s choice. Clare won and donated the money to St Barnabas through Joyce, making the total raised for the challenge £5,000.
Joyce has been volunteering for St Barnabas Hospice since February 1993, visiting patients in their homes and keeping them company. From 2013, she started volunteering at the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln (IPU), which is currently closed for refurbishment, and made sure the patients had everything they need and were comfortable. With the reopening of the IPU planned for later this year, Joyce is currently working in The Warehouse charity shop, and thoroughly enjoys her time there.
Joyce says: “I am very passionate about the Hospice and am active in raising money as well as volunteering my time.
“I am really saddened that the company that helped me organise the Great Wall of China trek have cancelled this after several rescheduling attempts. It’s a shame, and I hope I will eventually be able to make the trip. However, I am very proud of the money we have raised, and I am glad this donation will help the Hospice further.
“The idea to take on the Great Wall came about after I took on various fundraising challenges for the Hospice through the years, including going on midnight walks, braving the Fire Walk, running the London Marathon 3 times and many other activities.
“On top of this donation, I hold a tournament annually with the Lincoln Ladies Netball League, of which I am a founder member, and we always support St Barnabas with this event. We have held this tournament every year since 1998 and so far we have raised £24,000.”
“I also really enjoy volunteering, which I have been doing for decades now. The staff at The Warehouse charity shop in Lincoln are very nice and make me feel so welcome, and it’s great being able to help the Hospice in this way. Once the Inpatient Unit reopens, I will certainly go back but also stay as a volunteer at The Warehouse, as I’m a real people-person!”
Thanks to volunteers and fundraisers like Joyce, St Barnabas can deliver its care and wellbeing services to over 10,500 people every year.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, click here to find out more and register your interest.
Are you feeling inspired to take up a challenge to help raise vital funds for St Barnabas Hospice? Take a look here for ideas on how to fundraise, whether it be a big adventure like Joyce’s, or a smaller scale challenge.
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.
Pictured at the top are Joyce and Deborah Yarwood, St Barnabas Hospice Fundraising Officer
Breast cancer survivor carries Queen’s Baton
Rachael Bradley from Grantham, 44, was diagnosed with grade 3, stage 2 DCIS breast cancer on the day of the first lockdown in March 2020.
Not only did she survive her cancer, but she has also set up a local support group for those affected by breast cancer and was recently chosen to carry the Queen’s Baton Relay through her hometown.
After her diagnosis, Rachael publicly shared her cancer journey from start to finish, the good, bad and the ugly. During this time, Rachael had several forms of treatment; lumpectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy, 20 rounds of radiotherapy and 18 rounds of dual HER2 therapy.
As a result of chemo, her hair started to fall out, which made her decide to raise money for MacMillan by shaving her hair off live on Facebook with target of £500. By the end of the shave, just under £4,500 had been donated.
Rachael co-founded the peer support group Breast Friends in June 2021 with friend Sara Green, who is also a breast cancer survivor. They decided to set this up due to lack of local support groups for those who have been affected by breast cancer. The group is now flourishing with around 110 members, including male members, who meet up regularly as well as sharing their joys, sorrows and questions in the Best Friends Facebook group.
In April 2022, Rachael hosted the Into the Light event at Grantham Cricket Club, raising £3,500 for Breast Cancer Now and The Teenage Cancer Trust. Another exciting event, Breastival, is planned for 10th June 2023 at Grantham Cricket Club to raise funds for Breast Friends and St Barnabas Hospice. 
Rachael is a much-loved campaigner for breast awareness and cancer in general throughout the region, and also works for the tenancy services team at South Kesteven District Council.
For her hard work with Breast Friends, she was nominated by her colleagues to be one of the baton bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which starts on 28th July.
Karen Bradford, Chief Executive at South Kesteven District Council, said: “Rachael is an inspiration to us all and we are very proud to have such a caring person in our team. She thoroughly deserves this recognition, and we all supported her on such a momentous occasion.”
Rachael held the baton with pride on Monday 11th July 2022 and completed the route from National Primary school to the top of Castlegate, Grantham.
To get in touch or find out more about the Breast Friends group, email [email protected] or search for Breast Friends Grantham on Facebook.
St Barnabas volunteer shortlisted for BBC Radio Lincolnshire Make a Difference awards
Stephen Currie, who has been volunteering for St Barnabas Hospice for over five years, has been nominated for the coveted Volunteer of the Year Award at this year’s BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Make a Difference awards.
Stephen lives in Washingborough and started his volunteering journey with St Barnabas at Lincoln’s High Street South charity shop. He worked there for four years with manager Joanne, who nominated him for this award. 
Stephen is currently working at Lincoln’s Burton Road shop, while Joanne moved to a different charity where he also volunteers. He can be found at Burton Road several days a week, whilst also taking on extra shifts as a volunteer leader on days shop manager Karen is unavailable.
Stephen says: “I am very honoured to be shortlisted for this award, it shows the hard work we do as volunteers is truly appreciated.”
About his volunteering work, he comments: “It is great being part of a network of volunteers that help to raise funds for the Hospice, and I am doing the best I can to inspire others, as volunteers are the backbone of charities. Raising funds for charities is so rewarding and makes you feel valued.
“I have been able to do so much that I wouldn’t have done otherwise, for instance I worked at the Waterside Fashion Show two years in a row, volunteered in day-care centres, and much more.
“I also joined the St Barnabas Social Group Committee, where I helped organise events and trips for staff and volunteers until we sadly had to stop because of Covid. It has been such a great experience.
“A happy shop means happy volunteers and staff with happy customers, which in turn better raises funds for the organisation and I’m proud to be part of it!”
The local winners for the BBC Make a Difference Awards will be announced during a ceremony in September. Good luck, Stephen!
Volunteers are needed in almost all St Barnabas charity shops across Lincolnshire, of which there are 26, and we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, click here to find out more and register your interest.
Below pictured left to right: St Barnabas’ Wayne Banks, Debbie Robinson, and Stephen at the Lincoln High Street South shop
Supporter to run 40km marathon for St Barnabas Hospice 40th anniversary
David Albans, a 64-year old running enthusiast, will be taking part in the 12 hour endurance marathon The Big School Run at Worksop College on Saturday 27th August to fundraise for St Barnabas Hospice and as a way to thank the charity for supporting a number of his close friends and their families in their hour of need.
The Hospice is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is asking supporters to take up challenges with a theme around the number 40 to help raise funds. David is also celebrating an important anniversary this year, as he married his wife Kathleen 40 years ago.
David will be attempting to run for an incredible 12 hours between 7am – 7pm around the 5km circuit at Worksop College, and his goal is to run 40km, or even 40 miles if he can!
David says: “I have never done anything like this before and my longest ever run has been a half-marathon which is 21 kilometres.
“I am running to support St Barnabas Hospice’s work in helping those who need it, which recently has included some of my close friends and their families. I have witnessed what an amazing difference their support makes at a time of great difficulty for people. I know that if and when my family need it, St Barnabas will be there for us too.
“I started running in my 50’s and at the beginning I couldn’t go 200 metres without having to stop to catch my breath. I now love the challenge that distance running offers; testing both the mind and the body.
“I like being able to achieve what many people of my age wouldn’t even consider, and I would advise those of any age who are considering giving running a go, to just to start doing it regularly and this will help your progress.
“Last October I took part in the Lincoln 10K in support of St Barnabas, and though it was a very wet day, it was fantastic. The St Barnabas team gave me a lot of support, including providing me with high quality running tops with their logo, advising me how to raise funds, and being very encouraging all the way through. They were there to greet me at the finish line with smiles, congratulations and a goodie bag, which was very much appreciated. It definitely makes me feel like part of the St Barnabas team.”
To donate to David’s fundraiser, find his JustGiving page here.
In 1982 St Barnabas Hospice started from very humble beginnings with three nurses, with a vision to improve end of life care in Lincolnshire and has grown to become one of the region’s biggest charities supporting more than 10,500 people each year.
If you are inspired to host your own ’40 for 40’ event in support of St Barnabas Hospice, take a look on the website here for inspiration. Simply choose one of the themed activities or come up with your own 40-themed challenge to help raise money to support the charity’s great work.