Category: Stories
Original Baron donated to Inpatient Unit in Lincoln
Lincoln residents Lynda Quartey and Andrew Grimes have donated an original Baron, named Sir Walter, to St Barnabas Hospice to bring cheer to visitors to the Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road in Lincoln.
They are donating the Baron as a thank-you to St Barnabas for caring for Lynda’s daughter Maria in the same Inpatient Unit in during the last month of her life. She died on 27th January 2015, after a battle with breast cancer aged 41.
The Inpatient Unit is currently closed for refurbishment and is set to reopen in November 2022, fully modernised and with many new features – including the donated Baron in the reception area.
Lynda and Andrew bought the Baron, hand painted by artist Mel Langton, at the official Lincoln Barons Charter auction in October 2015. The pair were drawn to its bright colours and theme of fashion and shopping, all of which reminded them of Maria who was kind and vivacious in life.
Lynda says: “Maria loved shopping; she would always be going into charity shops, including St Barnabas shops, to find great bargains and alter them to suit her personality and style. When asked where she had obtained an outfit from, Maria was always proud to say charity shops! She even had a feather boa, just like Sir Walter is wearing when she was out collecting with her friends for St Barnabas over many years.”
The Baron has been residing in Lynda and Andrew’s kitchen/diner ever since they won the auction, brightening up their home and reminding them of Maria every day.
About the care Maria received from St Barnabas, Andrew says: “Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, everything she needed was made available and the care was exceptional.”
Lynda adds: “The staff made sure that the whole time Maria was in the Hospice, she could be surrounded around the clock by close friends, which meant a lot to her and us too. Her funeral in Manchester saw people flying in from across the world, as she had made so many friends through her years of traveling.
“We are so grateful to St Barnabas for all they have done to support Maria, her friends and us as a family.”
The couple are looking to move out of Lincolnshire next year and wanted to donate the Baron to the charity which is very close to their hearts.
Lynda says: “Sir Walter needs to stay in Lincolnshire, and we’re very happy he will be greeting visitors to the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln when it reopens. This is where he belongs, and it’s where we said goodbye to Maria, so it is very fitting.”
Andrew comments: “If it makes just one person smile when they come through the doors during a difficult time of their life, then the Baron’s donation is all worth it.”
Thank you, Lynda and Andrew, for your generous donation. We have no doubt that Sir Walter will bring many smiles to staff, volunteers, patients, and their families when the Inpatient Unit reopens in November!
Care for a Cuppa in memory of Jenny Kenton
Aimee Furneaux and her family in Branston hosted a Care for a Cuppa fundraiser on Saturday 20th August, raising a whopping £1,230!
Aimee, her sister Faye, and their father Paul hosted the event for dozens of family members and friends, who enjoyed delicious cakes over tea, coffee and soft drinks, and helped raise vital funds for their local Hospice.
The event was in memory of Aimee and Faye’s mother Jenny Kenton, who was a patient at St Barnabas Hospice before her death in March 2022.
Aimee says: “The dignity, respect, love and care they showed mum during her final few days will never be forgotten. The amazing service they provide to the people of Lincolnshire must never be taken for granted and should be supported and protected at all costs.”
Care for a Cuppa is a new campaign by St Barnabas Hospice, which encourages supporters to put the kettle on and host their own coffee morning, to raise vital funds for the charity.
To find out more about Care for a Cuppa or to get started on hosting your own, click here.
For every pound raised for St Barnabas, 74p goes straight towards delivering, and improving the care and support the charity offers to over 12,000 people every year. The other 26p goes towards generating future income.
Secondary school teacher smashes fundraising goal for her children
On Friday 19th August, St Barnabas Hospice shared a story about patient Sam Pickersgill, a 47-year old mother of two with a progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease. Doctors sadly do not know how long she has left, but Sam knows what she wants to do with the time she has: Give her children great memories to treasure.
Sam started a GoFundMe, hoping to raise £1,000. On Thursday 25th August, that total stands over £4,700! A fantastic result thanks to the generosity of the community, and the number keeps going up.
On top of this, there have been offers from organisations and individuals to give Sam and her family a getaway holiday, as well as local equestrian centres offering Sam’s horse-obsessed daughter Hattie riding lessons. St Barnabas Hospice are also hoping to find an organisation who can help 10-year old Dominic with a football experience.
Sam is a much-loved secondary school teacher, who has inspired thousands of people in her community through her work. Many of the people who have donated on her GoFundMe or offered support via social media remember her fondly from their school days.
Former student Carly Young shares some memories of having Sam as a teacher: “In 2017 I moved schools to attend the Priory Witham Academy, where Sam was my Head of Year. I was previously told by every teacher that there was no chance of me getting anywhere. We bonded from the get-go and Sam made me believe in myself.
“I have so many great memories from school with Sam, my favourite has to be on sports day when I ran the 100m for my tutor group. Sam was at the finish line shouting my name and as I ran I just wanted to make her proud. For coming first place, Sam gave me a big hug and told me how proud she was of me.
“She even took time to write a reference for my university application, and bearing in mind it was the Christmas holidays she did it for me during her time off! I’m now going to be attending university studying mental health in September and that is all because of her showing me how to believe in myself.
“She wasn’t just my teacher, she saved my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Sam, I’ll always look at the moon for you.”
Another former student, Kaisha, says: “We would always call Sam ‘Mrs P’. She taught me through my later stages of science in year 10 and 11 and became my form tutor in year 12. Mrs P was such an amazing teacher, and made sure you were seen and heard, making sure you were okay.
“It’s amazing to see so many fellow former students support Sam. I think it says a lot about the kind of person Sam is and how much she means to us, even though most of us have been out of school for 5+ years.”
Sarah Baker (née Waby) also has great memories of Sam, saying: “I was taught by her from 2008 to 2013 and she made science so fun!
“She always made time to explain things and would get us all up and interacting to help us to fully understand certain topics. She helped us all so much through our GCSE’s too, making revision cards and packs all off her own back.
“Sam was such an approachable teacher and always found a way to make you laugh. She was one of the best teachers at Witham!”
If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to.
Additionally, if you would like to support us to find ways to treat Dominic with anything football or Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Top image: Sam and her husband Ro on their wedding day
City of Lincoln 10k runner Fiona: “Raising over £4,700 for St Barnabas is a very proud moment!”
One of Lincolnshire’s most popular charity road run events is back on Sunday 30th October 2022: the City of Lincoln 10k.
One participant of last year’s 10k is Fiona Brown, who ran in memory of her friend and neighbour Karen Chambers, who died in July 2020. Fiona had hoped to participate in the event that year but the run was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, taking place on 31st October 2021 instead.
Fiona had already signed up for the 2020 Lincoln 10k but when she heard Karen’s terrible news, she decided to run in support of a charity of Karen’s choice. Karen and her husband Nick chose St Barnabas Hospice as they had been caring for Karen, and Fiona set up a JustGiving page with a target of £300.
In just three days Fiona managed to raise £1,000 and by the time she ran the 10k on rainy Sunday 31st October 2021, the total raised including GiftAid was a whopping £4702.18. Fiona ran the course with husband Chris and eldest son Declan, who she calls her ‘wingmen.’ 
Fiona says: “I can honestly say I loved every minute of it, despite the torrential rain! The bad weather did not put the crowds off from coming out to support us and for that I will always be grateful.
“It was an emotional day from start to finish and I think Karen would have been extremely proud of what we achieved. We have raised a massive amount of money in Karen’s memory for St Barnabas Hospice to help others, like they helped Karen and her family through such a difficult time.”
Fiona achieved a personal best, running the course in 1:17:20, after starting her training in June 2020. With the event now ten months in the past, she says she keeps up with her running but has not participated in any further charity races. However, Fiona says they if she does, she would support St Barnabas Hospice again.
After the race, Fiona said: “This journey has been a big part of my life for the last 16 months. We will all continue to keep Karen’s memory alive and remember her for the special, kind lady she was.
“Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart. To have raised over £4,700 for St Barnabas is a very proud moment for me!”
If you would like to sign up for this year’s City of Lincoln 10k, taking place on Sunday 30th October 2022, register here: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/lincoln10k-22/
Top picture: Fiona finishing the 10k, and a portrait of Karen.
Register for the 25th Wine and Wisdom quiz
St Barnabas Hospice are delighted to announce the return of the popular Wine and Wisdom quiz at Waddington Village Hall on 15th October after a two-year absence. It’s the 25th time that this quiz is held and during St Barnabas Hospice’s 40 anniversary year, so it’s an extra special event!
Wine and Wisdom originally started in 1996 by widower John Davey in memory of his wife, Anne, who he was married to for 29 years. In 1992 Anne was admitted to our Inpatient Unit in Lincoln after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
John was so touched by the care Anne and his whole family received there, that he decided to put on a quiz to raise funds for St Barnabas.
John said, “The Hospice was a truly wonderful place and the people there were incredibly kind. They took such good care of Anne but they also looked after the whole family too.
“I will always remember the night I fell asleep holding Anne’s hand and I awoke to find that a blanket had been placed over me by one of the kind people there. It’s only a small thing but it is something I will never forget and it really meant a lot.
“Wine and Wisdom began as a wonderful way to remember my wife and for our family and friends to remember her too. It also gave us an opportunity to raise money to help other families who need the valuable support of the Hospice.”
This is St Barnabas Hospice’s longest-running event and has raised £34,460 over the years in support of end-of-life care in Lincolnshire. The quiz night has grown from a small event for family and friends, to a much-anticipated evening in the calendar of many in the community.
It is a chance to come together, have fun, show off your knowledge and of course raise vital funds for your local hospice.
Teams of 6-8 people can register for only £10 per head. Two bottles of wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be provided for each table but please feel free to bring your own drinks and food as there will be no bar available on the night.
If you are unable to put a team together, you can still register and we will create a team of individuals.
Make sure you register quickly, as places are limited! To register your place, visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/wine-and-wisdom/
For more information please contact the Fundraising team on 01522 540 300 or fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Fundraiser to help give patient’s children something to look forward to
47-year old mother of two Sam Pickersgill from Newton on Trent was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and received treatment for her condition.
Following a kick to the head from a horse in December 2021, Sam was brought in for a brain scan, which found progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease, limiting her life expectancy significantly.
Sam was referred to St Barnabas in January 2022 for psychological support and future planning to help her with the emotional difficulties and uncertainties that came with her diagnosis.
Mary, a Specialist Nurse Practitioner and Katie, a Health and Rehabilitation Support Worker from St Barnabas, took over her wellbeing and care planning in April.
They arranged for Sam to receive counselling, giving her a crucial safe space to talk about what she was feeling and what was happening to her and her family. They have also supported Sam maintain a level of independence with equipment to help her around the home.
Sadly, in July 2022, after enjoying a family holiday to Lanzarote, Sam was given the dreadful news that the metastasis had progressed further in the brain and leptomeningeal and that she is at high risk of sudden death.
Mary has played a crucial role in helping Sam and her husband Ro discuss with their children the serious topic of Sam’s limited time. The family feels that Mary helps them work through the difficult emotions and practicalities, as well as supporting them in finding the positive things in life.
Sam says: “Mary has been incredible; I don’t know how our family would have been able to handle this situation if we didn’t have her. She has kept me going and supported us throughout, from telling the children, to organising my own funeral and making sure it’s exactly how I want to be remembered.
“Mary made me realise I could take control of the situation and organise some wonderful times for everyone to remember and enabling me to spend my days comfortably at home around Ro, Hattie and Dominic.”
Mary has helped Sam facilitate a personalised care and support plan, with open discussions about what is important to Sam and the whole family. Financial support has also been given through the Welfare and Benefits team, as well as helping Sam list her final wishes. This is all part of the Advanced Care Planning which St Barnabas offers to patients and their families so they can focus on what’s really important to them – making the most of whatever time remains.
It was the couple’s 23rd Wedding Anniversary on Sunday 14th August. Unfortunately Sam was too unwell to attend a family meal, however later that day local legend Dan Hadfield performed a private Gary Barlow tribute concert in her parents’ garden, which Sam enjoyed surrounded by family and close friends.
St Barnabas continues to offer Sam and the family the psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual support when they need it.
Mary says: “When I first met Sam at her home, she threw her arms around me. From that point, I’ve seen her each week and have built a supporting relationship with the whole family. I have loved learning more about Sam the secondary school teacher, 14-year-old Hattie’s love of horses and 10-year-old Dominic’s obsession with Real Madrid.
“Sam has invested a lot of time supporting others in her life, and I feel it’s a privilege to do something in return to help her and her loved ones during this difficult time. St Barnabas will be with Sam when and where she needs us.
“We cannot change the outcome, but we can make every day count until then.”
Sam is fundraising to give Hattie and Dominic something to look forward to. Sam’s health makes it difficult for her to know day-to-day how she is going to feel, so she’s hoping that the family can do something for the children during such a difficult time.
Sam says: “I want to give the children memories to treasure.”
If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to.
Additionally, if you would like to support us find ways to treat Hattie with a horse experience, or Dominic with anything Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Beryl Jackson fundraises in memory of her daughter Lesley
In early July, Beryl Jackson from Lincoln hosted a coffee morning to raise funds for St Barnabas in memory of her husband Allan and daughter Lesley Guyler. Beryl hosts regular coffee mornings and fundraisers in support of the charity who cared for her beloved only child Lesley at the end of her life.
Since 2005, Beryl has donated an incredible £2,293 to St Barnabas Hospice in memory of Lesley and Allan.
Lesley was born in Scunthorpe in 1959 and the family lived in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, before taking on the exciting challenge of traveling and living abroad.
In the 1990s Beryl lived in Singapore and Thailand with Allan, while Lesley lived in Germany with her husband Mark, daughter Amy and son Jordan. The family saw each other often, happily taking the long journeys to spend holidays together.
Sadly, at age 39, Lesley was diagnosed with breast cancer, and received radiotherapy and chemotherapy in Dusseldorf, before the difficult decision was made by her doctors to perform a mastectomy, and after this a hysterectomy.
Beryl says: “I flew to Germany every month for a two week stay to support Lesley and the family during her treatments.
“Never once did she complain about her illness and her concern was for her children, who she adored. Her unfailing bravery through all this was inspirational. After her surgery, Lesley stayed with Allan and myself in Thailand to recuperate and they both enjoyed each other’s company, which meant a lot to me.”
After the hysterectomy, Lesley recovered and was in good health again, and enjoyed life fully. In 2000, Beryl and Allan moved back to Lincolnshire, with Lesley’s family following shortly afterwards.
Sadly, Lesley became unwell again in 2004 and the family learned her cancer had spread to her bones and that it was terminal. 
Lesley started to visit St Barnabas Hospice every week, enjoying lunch with the new friends she met through the charity, who understood her journey and gave her vital support during this difficult time. These social groups are still available to St Barnabas patients around the county today.
Beryl says: “Lesley had such a great personality; she loved to socialise and had a passion for baking and cooking – the latter has been passed on to her children.
“As her cancer progressed, Lesley made all her own funeral arrangement and decided to stop her treatment. However, she was determined to live long enough to meet her first grandchild and in September 2005 Livvie was born, whom Lesley helped deliver. Livvie became Lesley’s pride and joy!”
Nine months later, with her conditioning worsening, Lesley was admitted to St Barnabas Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Lincoln, where she died peacefully 10 days later on 14th June 2006, surrounded by her family.
About the care St Barnabas provided to Lesley, Beryl comments: “The staff was so dedicated, and their care and compassion extended to us, her devoted family.
“As a thank you for providing her with this wonderful care, I forwarded all the donations from her funeral to the charity. After losing my husband earlier this year, I did the same with his funeral donations. I know that without donations, the good work of St Barnabas cannot be carried on to help all those other people who need it.”
Every year, St Barnabas Hospice supports over 12,000 people through free care and wellbeing services, and over £6 million needs to be raised each year to continue supporting patients around Lincolnshire.
The charity receives no funding from the government and fully relies on the kind donations of supporters like Beryl. Every pound makes a real difference and donations can be made as a one-off or as a regular Direct Debit.
Click here to donate to St Barnabas Hospice.
Top picture L-R: Beryl, Amy, Jordan, Lesley
Picture below L-R: Lesley, Beryl, Jordan and Amy
Care for a Cuppa at historic Middle Rasen Watermill raises over £2,000
On Saturday 6th August, St Barnabas Fundraising Officer Ellie Carter and her parents Mandy and Mark held a Care for a Cuppa fundraiser at their home; The Watermill in Middle Rasen.
The family opened their doors to residents from the community, friends, and family. Over 200 people attended the day, raising an amazing total of £2,154.05 for the Hospice, which could cover the cost for 60 hours of specialist Inpatient care.
Supporters were spoiled for choice with a large selection of baked goods and refreshments, along with children’s games, a tombola, and a raffle with 40 prizes to celebrate 40 years of St Barnabas, which were kindly donated by local businesses.
The Watermill is well known to those who live in the area as a Grade II listed building from the late 17th century situated along the River Rase.
Attendees were able to enjoy the sunshine and catch up with their neighbours and meet new people, as well as take a tour of the Watermill and the grounds.
Ellie says: “This was such a feel-good day for our family and the whole community! Everyone said they had missed this social contact during the pandemic, and they all thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was an amazing turn out with such positive feedback and support”
“My family and friends who helped us had an amazing day and we can’t wait for it to become a yearly event”
Many thanks to Ellie, Mandy and Mark and of course everyone who attended, for their donations and support.
Care for a Cuppa is a new campaign by St Barnabas Hospice, which encourages supporters to put the kettle on and host their own coffee morning, to raise vital funds for the charity.
To find out more about Care for a Cuppa or to get started on hosting your own, click here.
For every pound raised for St Barnabas, 77p goes straight towards delivering, and improving the care and support the charity offers to over 12,000 people every year. The other 23p goes towards generating future income.
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.”
