Category: Stories
Julie Fisher, takes on the Toubkal Trek in memory of her husband Chris Swift aka ‘Swifty’
Julie Fisher is about to embark on a life changing challenge as she will join other daredevils who are going to Trek Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest mountain, all in support of St Barnabas Hospice. Julie is doing the challenge in memory of her husband, Chris Swift
“Chris ran his own company Swift Renovations, he was a retained fire fighter for Wragby Station. He loved the outdoors, we went walking as a family, his favourite place was a tarn in The Lake District called Small Water. We scattered his ashes there.”
“Chris and I met at school when we were taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, we were presented our gold awards by the Duke of Edinburgh together too.
“Chris had a thirst for life and fun with a witty humour and enjoyed playing pranks on people, always with a smile on his face. He had a very special quality of being able to inspire people and always had a word of wisdom for anyone he spoke to. He was a honest, genuine and straight talking guy who had a big impact on all the people who knew him. His two boys, Jacob and Reuben meant the world to him.
“Chris was first diagnosis in January 2001 with Malignant Melanoma and had to have his ear removed. Jacob and Reuben were only 7 and 5. We thought it had been caught but it had been laying dormant for 9 years and in January 2010 it returned, at this point we were told it was terminal.
“The hardest thing was to tell Jacob and Reuben that their dad hadn’t got long to live. We wanted to involve them and let them know we needed to make the most of what time we had left with him. Chris was determined to fight the cancer, for as long as could as he so wanted to watch Jacob and Reuben grow up. He made the decision to have Chemotherapy and had to travel to Leicester every three weeks, for four days of treatment. It was tough going, but he never gave in. The cancer spread to his femur, which he had pinned, then his lungs and finally his brain which was devastating as he was unable to communicate with us.”
Chris lost his battle on 30th July 2010. He was just 45.
“Chris’s wish was to be cared for at home, so he could spend as much time with his family and he didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. I did manage to take care of him at home at first, but found it very difficult once the cancer spread to his brain. At this point the St Barnabas nurses came into our home daily and overnight to help me with his care and to give us support. I remember how kind, caring and patient they were with Chris, and the support they gave me was incredible. I really would not have managed without them and Chris would have had to go into hospital/care which he didn’t want.
“Because Chris was at home it was so much better for Jacob and Reuben as they were able to pop in and out of his room day or night to see him without having to travel to Lincoln. If Chris had not been at home the three of us would not have been with him when he died which would have been even more devastating.
“I asked Jacob and Reuben if they’d do this fundraising challenge with me. I thought it would be an excellent way to mark 10 years since Chris died (now 12 because of Covid), because he would have loved to have done this Trek.
“Because the boys were so young when their dad died, I think it’s very important that we do different events together in his memory. We want to keep supporting St Barnabas Hospice so they can continue to give others the excellent care they gave us.”
Whenever we had a rough time St Barnabas supported us, not just Grandad. They never claimed to ‘understand’ either, just understood we felt how we did. Most of all, they continued to make him smile.
“Terrible Two and the parents” take on The Colour Dash as perfect family event in memory of Great Grandad, Richard. Parent’s Sophie and Luke are running the Colour Dash, with children Millie, age 6 and Olivia, age 5 leading the way! 
Mum, Sophie explains “My family were supported by St Barnabas when my Grandad died, and its always stayed with me how well they cared for him in his last weeks” Sophie has such fond memories of her Grandad, Richard before he died.
“My Grandad was amazing, kind and caring. He loved a good joke, and watched Neighbours every afternoon without fail! He was proud of his garden and it was always full of flowers. He even used to let me peg flowers to his hair, as a crown! His smile would light up any room and his hugs were the best.
“My favourite and lasting memory of him is from the day before he died. His dying wish was to be at home in his final days, and St Barnabas supported us to make that happen. The nurses arrived and were with him, and I followed in a few moments later. He was laughing and looked at me, he was holding the hand of the lady and said ‘here’s the apple of my eye’. That was the last time I saw him smile, and the day I said goodbye.
“Being so young, I don’t remember all the finer details, but there was always a warm reception of the nurses. Whenever we had a rough time they supported us, not just Grandad. They never claimed to ‘understand’ either, just understood we felt how we did. Most of all, they continued to make him smile.
“When Millie and Olivia wanted to do something for a good cause, I couldn’t think of a better event or charity to support.”
Join Millie and Olivia at the Colour Dash (Early Bird discount ending 8th April)
Take part in the Colour Dash in support of St Barnabas (stbarnabashospice.co.uk)
Support Millie and Olivia here
Terrible 2 and the Parents fundraising for St Barnabas Hospice Trust (Lincolnshire) on JustGiving
‘They Would Both Be Proud’ – Ebonie Runs St Barnabas Colour Dash In Memory of Nana
Ebonie Barker from Skegness, is taking part in the Colour Dash event, being held at the Lincolnshire Showground on Saturday 14th May to thank the Hospice for caring for her Nana in 2018.
Ebonie says: “Due to the incredible work they provide day in and day out for their patients, I wanted to run the Colour Dash this year for St Barnabas. The Hospice took such wonderful care of my lovely Nana, Grace Barker, and I always feel honoured to take part in these events to try and give something back.
“I am also taking part in the Colour Dash to also remember my beautiful Grandad, Brian Holdsworth. I know they would both be proud to see me taking part in such fantastic events to help raise money for people who need it the most.”
The Colour Dash event is back for a sixth year and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. This year, St Barnabas Hospice celebrates its 40th birthday. To honour the occasion, the Hospice has brought back the popular event with more paint powder than ever before and a goal of raising £150,000 for patient care.
Ebonie is hoping to raise more than £400 in total, with an initial target of £200 via her JustGiving page.
Ebonie added: “I always like taking part in fundraising, especially when it’s such a good cause. My family supports the Hospice all year round; we play the lottery and take part in the raffles too. We also attend the Torchlight Procession every year to remember our loved ones. When we stand outside the Hospice and the band plays ‘Amazing Grace’ it is so touching. ”
To find out more about the Colour Dash or to register to take part, visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/colourdash/
“I never win anything, so was very surprised by this news”
The St Barnabas Hospice raffle runs twice each year, giving supporters the chance to win big whilst raising much-needed funds for hospice care in Lincolnshire. Last year, Mike Rose won an amazing £2,021 after purchasing just £10 worth of raffle tickets.
Mike said, “I kept getting an unknown number on my mobile which I ignored, but when I played back the voice message, I realised that something was up! I never win anything, so was very surprised by this news.
“St Barnabas Hospice is such a wonderful establishment. My best friend, Dave, was cared for by their nurses after he was sadly diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“I met Dave through his brother, and we formed a life-long friendship. He was as strong as an ox, able to drink the rest of us under the table and a good footballer. He was a great traveller, getting on well with everyone who crossed his path.
“When he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, he kept me informed with a series of heartbreakingly sad but courageous emails as his condition worsened. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
“St Barnabas were there to help during troubling times, and I’m so grateful to everyone who was there for Dave during his final days.
“One of Dave’s final wishes was for his old friends to gather in his memory. We did this last October in Lincoln and it was a great success, although bittersweet.”
This winter, St Barnabas Hospice is running a raffle where supporters could be in with the chance of winning an incredible £2,022. Help nurses bring heart to the homes that need them the most by purchasing tickets, just like Mike did, from www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lottery/raffle.
“Lamorna’s heart will stand proudly in the garden, where we can sit and remember how bright her light shone.”
Aly Gratrick has dedicated an ironwork heart in memory of her beloved daughter, Lamorna, who sadly died age 27 following a series of complex health issues.
Aly said, “Lamorna loved life, loved to be outside and loved to be surrounded by people. Along with her sister Verity, they are the lights of my life and I am so proud of everything they have achieved.
“Lamorna was diagnosed as a brittle diabetic in 2008, and as a consequence of this, she had many health issues including epilepsy and fibromyalgia. She had well over 70 admissions to hospital and never complained, even when many resulted in staying in intensive care. She also spent birthdays, Christmas, New Year, Easter and many other holidays in hospital.
“I think Lamorna was definitely at her happiest in Lindos, which is where I got married and then renewed my vows ten years later. Our friends out there all loved here and watched her grow into a beautiful young woman.
“Sadly, they could all see her health deteriorating too, but they never judged her and only offered love and kindness. I am truly grateful for all their support. We would go to the church in the village during our holidays to light candles for loved ones, and now the locals donate to the church so that the bell rings for Lamorna and her name is read in prayers.
“Lamorna’s long battle ended on 16th June 2020, and that was when ours began. How do you ever get used to not having your best friend and daughter around?
“Our home now feels so empty without my beautiful girl, and the animals miss her dearly as she spent her days with them. No one should ever have to lose their child at any age.
“She died in the middle of the pandemic so we couldn’t give her the send off she deserved, but I feel very fortunate that I work as a funeral director and could conduct her funeral myself. I cared for her right to the end and was able to ensure she passed over safely. As the person who brought her into the world, I feel proud that I was able to do this last thing for her.
“We are in the process of making a special place in the garden for Lamorna, and I can’t wait for Verity to come back for a visit so we can get it finished. Lamorna’s heart will stand proudly in the garden, where we can sit and remember how bright her light shone.
“Because of my job, I see so many people who have been supported by St Barnabas Hospice, which is why I always try to support such a worthy charity whenever I can. In the past I have volunteered at the Hospice doing gardening and painting, as well as taking part in the Colour Dash and Light up a Life. The Forever in our Hearts appeal is such a beautiful way to remember loved ones, and I know Lamorna would approve of us remembering her in this way.
“My dedication reads: ‘Lamorna #Forever27, our precious daughter taken far too soon. We love and miss you every second of every day and our lives will never be the same again. Your smile would light a whole room and your heart was so big that you always saw the best in everyone. You battled every day for so long and if I could change places with you, I would in a heartbeat.”
Aly’s story highlights just how important the Forever in our Hearts appeal is for helping families remember loved ones in such a beautiful way. By donating for an ironwork heart, you will be directly helping the Hospice to support more people across Lincolnshire. Visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/foreverhearts to order yours today.
UPS Foundation gifted the Hospice a fantastic $10,000 grant to support people across Lincolnshire living with life-limiting and terminal illnesses
At St Barnabas Hospice, it costs around £12 million each year to keep our services running, supporting people across Lincolnshire living with life-limiting and terminal illnesses. We are lucky that some wonderful trusts and funders have supported our work over the years with a variety of grants.
Recently, the UPS Foundation gifted the Hospice a fantastic $10,000 grant after being nominated by their Transport Planner, Tom Parker. Tom nominated the Hospice after we cared for his grandad in 2020/21.
“Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads UPS’s global citizenship efforts and philanthropy. We believe the best way to give back is to draw upon our collective strengths, linking philanthropic dollars with our logistics expertise, transportation assets, and the skills and passion of our people to create a shared value for our communities and people around the world.”
Tom said, “My Grandad Ken was a typical Yorkshire man; born and raised in Sheffield, opinionated, honest, likeable and respectable. He served as a police constable for 25 years, before retiring with an exemplary service award and moving to Skegness with his wife to enjoy the slower pace of life the seaside had to offer, and to be near to their daughter Debbie (my Mum) and the family.
“When Lyn, his wife of 55 years, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, Grandad looked after her at home for eight years before she moved into a care home. He had also struggled with COPD for a number of years before being diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2020.
“The world went into lockdown not long after that, so all his plans to enjoy the time he had left were put on hold. Throughout the year, he enjoyed the simpler things in life like walks along the seafront, feeding the ducks in the park and going out for lunch with family. When his local pub reopened, he was very grateful to meet up with friends for an hour each week.
“St Barnabas visited Ken throughout the year as his condition deteriorated. He became very unwell over Christmas 2020, but made sure that he soldiered on long enough to ensure that his close family could all say their goodbyes. He died peacefully at home in the arms of his daughter and granddaughter Lucy on 5th January 2021, age 76.
“The care St Barnabas provided was fantastic. They managed his symptoms with a syringe driver, offered psychological support to both my Grandad and the family and really helped him during a time when he was very scared of what the future had in store.
“I’m so glad that my nomination for St Barnabas to receive this money was accepted, as they have been affected financially by the pandemic and I want to help ensure that the vital work they do continues long into the future, for families in a similar situation”
If your company offer similar grants to charities, please speak to Julia Bowness by emailing here on julia.bowness@stbarnabashospice.co.uk or 07423122504, who will be happy to help your company support our fantastic charity.
“Sam would say “love you Mum, in my heart” to me hundreds of times a day before he died, and that’s why the Forever in our Hearts appeal really spoke to me.”
Christine Newby has dedicated an ironwork heart in memory of her treasured son, Sam, who had a wonderful and fun-filled life before he sadly died in December 2021 from pancreatic cancer. She has chosen to share his story in the hope that it will encourage others to remember loved ones in such a beautiful way. 
Christine said, “Sam was born in Hong Kong in 1978 with Down’s Syndrome. After falling in love with him at the Home of Loving Faithfulness, my husband and I had the privilege of adopting him, moving back to the UK together four years later.
“When he was born, Sam had duodenal atresia which could have been fatal, but miraculously the doctors were able to keep him alive. The scar from his operation went from hip to hip and he would always refer to it as his tummy zip, pretending to undo it when he had eaten too much!
“My husband and I travelled a lot with work, so Sam had homes in Hong Kong, UK, Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, He also visited his sister in Australia on many occasions and was a proud uncle and great uncle.
“Sam had an enormous sense of humour and just loved to make you laugh with and at him. He told many jokes, but usually the punch line came at the beginning! Once he learned to speak there was no stopping him; as soon as he opened his eyes in the morning, he also opened his mouth.
“Sam would say “love you Mum, in my heart” to me hundreds of times a day before he died, and that’s why the Forever in our Hearts appeal really spoke to me. We intend to place our heart beside his grave in the churchyard.
“We still like to talk in the way that Sam would, and he had his own way of speaking that others sometimes couldn’t understand. We still say ‘bish bosh’ for dishwasher, ‘blips’ for slippers and ‘nuff nish bop’ for enough, finish, stop when Dad would tickle him.
“HimToo was a very important part of our family – a stuffed rhinoceros which Sam had from his third birthday. He had many repairs over the years – new paws, new horns, new tail – but he was always there beside Sam whatever he was doing. He got his name because Sam would always say “me bwing him too?” when we went anywhere.
“Sam was diagnosed with terminal cancer on December 7th after spending just two days in hospital. The doctors had found secondaries in his liver, bile duct and lymph nodes, so he was in terrible pain. He went downhill so fast and was moved to St Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln just ten days later.
“He died in the early hours of 20th December, which rocked our whole family. We are still feeling the shock even now.
“HimToo went with Sam to the Hospice and stayed with him right to the end. It seemed only right that HimToo joined Sam on his last adventure in the coffin, watching over him in his place of rest.
“All of the staff at St Barnabas were simply wonderful, asking if we needed anything and keeping an eye on all of us, not just Sam. The care they showed him was outstanding, and even though he arrived there on strong pain relief, the nurses still managed to get to know him a little.
“He passed so suddenly that we weren’t able to get to the Hospice in time, but we felt so grateful to the nurses when we got there because they had got him looking so comfortable, cuddling his favourite toy, HimToo. They had placed little dinosaurs around his head too – all so very caring. The nurses held onto us and it felt like they were our family in Australia who we were so dearly missing.”
Christine’s story highlights just how important the Forever in our Hearts appeal is for helping families remember loved ones in such a beautiful way. By donating for an ironwork heart, you will be directly helping the Hospice to support more patients just like Sam. Visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/foreverhearts to order yours today.
“My ironwork heart will stand proudly in the garden so that a part of Dad is here with me always. When I’m outside looking after the flowers, I can have a little chat and feel that bit closer to him.”
Please note: This article references our ‘Forever in our Hearts’ Appeal, which took place i 2022. Unfortunately, it is no possible to purchase a heart is dedication to your loved one.
“My name is Emma, and I want to share some very special news about how St Barnabas is helping people like us remember loved ones this spring. When my dad died, my heart was completely broken. Now I can honour his memory with a personalised ironwork heart, and you can do the same for your loved ones.
“My dad, Geoffrey, had such a cheeky personality; always joking and making us smile. He was diagnosed with cancer on 16th March 2016, and from then we only had a couple of weeks before he died and our world fell apart.
“I felt so lost at the time. I was 28, but it was as though I had reverted back to being a child, just trying to tell myself that it was all a bad dream.
“Our saving grace during this horrible period was St Barnabas Hospice. The dignity and care they showed my dad was like nothing I had ever imagined. From the moment our family walked in, we felt they were caring not only for dad, but for us too.
“My brother and I struggled to process our feelings alongside making sure Mum was ok, but the nurses took over and gave us stability when everything was falling apart. Dad’s only wish was to be with Mum until the end, and St Barnabas allowed her to be there every second of every day. I don’t think people realise just how special the team at St Barnabas are.
“The incredible support we received as a family just 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 celebrates 40 years of caring for the people of Lincolnshire this year, and with your support, I know they will be able to support many more over the next 40 years.
“This spring, St Barnabas is asking supporters just like you and me, to honour loved ones by donating to the ‘Forever in our Hearts Appeal.’ If you were to give just £35.54, it could fund one hour of specialist inpatient care, just like Dad received. Your money could make such a huge difference to the people of Lincolnshire, allowing hospice care to continue long into the future.
“One memory which really stands out to me was the Lincoln 10k, which happened to take place the same day that Dad died. He always used to take part, so this time his friends ran in his honour. When the nurses found out, they came outside with me, held my hand and cheered the runners on as they ran past the Hospice. Everyone at St Barnabas has so much love to give to families and patients, which is what makes this heart display feel so special to me.
“If you donate for a heart this year, it will help St Barnabas to continue working at the heart of the community, making a real difference to people’s lives. I recently bought a new house, which was the first big milestone without Dad. My ironwork heart will stand proudly in the garden so that a part of Dad is here with me always. When I’m outside looking after the flowers, I can have a little chat and feel that bit closer to him.
“I am excited to announce that when you donate, your ironwork heart will appear in a beautiful display at Lincoln Cathedral, on the Dean’s Green, from Saturday 2nd April to Monday 18th April. Lincoln Cathedral was one of Dad’s favourite places to visit, and is where we now go every Christmas to light a candle in his memory.”
Thank you,
Emma Gowland
“Going through the finish, my heart was truly pounding, the tears from my eyes falling freely. The splashes of colour painted rainbows of joy and pride, not only for a love lost, but also for every single missed soul on that most incredible of shared days.”
“Hello, my name is Jayne and I took part in the Colour Dash to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice in memory of two people. Firstly Nigel – my partner, my lover and soulmate; my husband who died in January 2017. His mum also died shortly after him, in the same room at the Hospice as him which felt very meaningful.”
“Everything made Nigel special; his smile, his eyes. He found a tiny pea-sized lump in his groin and went to see a consultant. In that first meeting, the consultant said, “this cancer is going to kill you.” I saw his face and heard my daughter, and I felt time stop, and my heart stop. It was devastating.
“We were put in touch with St Barnabas and he went to the Day Therapy Centre where he had reiki and art therapy. It really relaxed him and was such a lovely place to go. I felt so grateful as it gave me a break from being his full-time carer too.
“The tumour grew rapidly and eventually he ended up at Lincoln Hospital. I knew he was getting close to death and I begged the hospital staff to help me get him to the Hospice. I knew in my heart that was where he needed to be.
“The day the consultant came to tell me they were moving him to the Hospice was like I had won the lottery. As we walked in, one of the nurses took me and sat me down with a cup of tea whilst they made Nigel comfortable. She sat and cared for me, and for that I am so grateful.
“When the end was near for Nige, the nurses knew and there was absolutely no sense of panic. They made sure he was as pain free and comfortable as possible. As his breaths became gradually shallower, I began to sing to him, and then he just left. I remember dropping to my knees at that point and the nurses held me and rocked me.
“Nigel had a beautiful death and I feel so grateful that I was able to be with him and witness his transition. Everyone at the Hospice gave so much to my family.
“Later that year, I signed up to take part in the Colour Dash with our children, my sister-in-law and some friends. We all had t-shirts made with Nigel’s face on and the words ‘be more Nige’ across the front.
“The atmosphere was just brilliant, and it was great to see so many families and groups of people all running together in memory of loved ones.
“What an experience when we set off and got covered in coloured paint powder at every kilometre! It was a great opportunity to just get messy, have a laugh and just be colourful. There was a real buzz in the air and such a sense of togetherness.
“Going through the finish, my heart was truly pounding, the tears from my eyes falling freely. The splashes of colour painted rainbows of joy and pride, not only for a love lost, but also for every single missed soul on that most incredible of shared days.”
Colour Dash returns after a 2 year hiatus on 14th May. Get involved, get active and join the 5km rainbow fun run for hospice care, to celebrate St Barnabas’ 40th Anniversary 
“My family will never forget the kindness of St Barnabas after Dad was cared for by the absolute heroes in their Hospice at Home team.”
Stevie French is asking supporters to play the St Barnabas winter raffle so that more money can be raised for terminally ill patients, just like her dad. At just £1 per ticket, you could help bring heart to the homes that need us the most.
Stevie said, “My family will never forget the kindness of St Barnabas after Dad was cared for by the absolute heroes in their Hospice at Home team in 2017. These nurses will forever stand out in my sister’s, mum’s and my own memory as being worth their weight in gold. Dad was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is a rare, terminal condition that causes brain damage, worsening rapidly over a short period of time. It was devastating to try and process this kind of diagnosis, especially as I was only 21 at the time. 
“I found it most difficult to come to terms with seeing my ‘big strong Dad,’ a constant source of love and strength in my life, become so vulnerable, so quickly. The nurses’ made sure he felt dignified every visit and kept a sense of normality and comradery with him. Dad was always a social butterfly and the St Barnabas team acted more like old friends, rather than just part time carers. That sense of ease and having friendly faces during such a turbulent time, I know meant a lot to Dad. In turn, it meant even more to us as his family.
“The nurses at St Barnabas are some of the most kind-hearted people I have met, so I want to help them spread their love to more homes across Lincolnshire this year. Will you join me in playing the Winter Raffle? A single ticket costs just £1 and each one purchased will help the Hospice continue their vital home visits across the county.
“As a nod to the new year, the grand prize is an amazing £2,022! Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see that extra money in your bank account? If I won, I think I’d invest the money into growing my baking business and putting smiles on people’s faces through cakes and biscuits!
“The Winter Raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 23rd March, so please make sure to get your entries in no later than Friday 18th March for guaranteed entry. If you are able to enter by Monday 14th February, you will even be entered into a bonus draw for the chance to win one of ten high street gift cards!
“On behalf of my family, I want to say a huge thank you for your kindness today. It was the biggest comfort to me that my mum could focus on being a wife to Dad instead of his full-time carer, and that was down to the support St Barnabas gave us. Being able to spend precious time together as a family when our world was falling apart is something I will never forget. If you can spare a few extra pounds, please think about gifting this to the Hospice to help others like us.
“This year it will cost the Hospice £29.16 for a nurse to spend two hours at home supporting someone just like my dad, as well as their family. For those needing bereavement support once a loved one has died, this is £18.13 per one-to-one session.
“The start of the new year symbolises hope for the future, and my hope is that the incredible hospice nurses can continue bringing heart to the homes of people across Lincolnshire so that more families like ours are touched by their warmth.
“Thank you for your continued support of the Hospice, it really does mean so much that their care is available to those who need it. I wish you the very best of luck.”
Purchase your tickets online at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lottery/raffle