Category: Stories
“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
Couple brave the Fire Walk in memory of mums who met at St Barnabas, and later were both cared for there
Hannah Bartle and her partner, Martin, are taking on the St Barnabas Hospice Fire Walk in memory of their mums, who were both cared for by the Hospice.
The Fire Walk is one of the Hospice’s 40th anniversary events, taking place on Saturday 19th March at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. As the name suggests, Hannah and Martin will walk barefoot over red-hot wood embers which are around 800 degrees. There are no tricks and no special effects involved.
Hannah said, “I have done several fundraising events for St Barnabas in the past, including a skydive, but I love the idea of a Fire Walk as it is so different.
“My mum (Jean Bartle) spent 20 years volunteering at the St Barnabas Boston Day Therapy Centre, where ironically, she taught Martin’s mum how to paint before we had met each other! She was bubbly and fun, always finding ways to raise money for charity after her friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. 
“Over the years, as well as dedicating so many hours to the Hospice, she also raised an incredible £20,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer (now named Breast Cancer Now). She loved dancing and going to the ballet, and she absolutely adored her grandchildren and the ladies at her over 50s exercise classes.
“When Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we were absolutely devastated. Eight years on, our family are still feeling the impact and we all miss her like crazy. She was only in her 60s when she died, so it felt like she was taken far too soon.
“The Hospice at Home team cared for Mum at home and they were all so genuine and kind. They respected Mum’s dignity and I always remember how she used to make them laugh.
“It is our hope that by fundraising, we can help more families who have gone through a similar situation to our own. Our fundraising target is £200, which could fund almost fourteen hours of Hospice at Home care for someone just like Mum.”
Martin added, “My mum, Josie Thompson, was also cared for by St Barnabas Hospice until she died in 2008. St Barnabas is a cause very close to our family’s hearts, so I am glad that I can support them by taking on the Fire Walk.”
There is still time to sign up to the Fire Walk and join supporters like Hannah and Martin who are braving the coals in memory of loved ones. It costs just £35 and we ask that you pledge to raise £100 in sponsorship money.
To sign up, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/fire-walk-2022. Age 16+ only.
“My Father was my best friend, a loving Husband, Father, Grandad, Brother and Uncle”
Dan Vines took on the ultimate challenge, The Outlaw in memory of ‘his best friend’ and Father, John Vines.
“My Father was diagnosed with prostate cancer over ten years ago and after years of operations and various treatment, he was told early in 2020 that nothing further could be offered. It was at this point he began receiving palliative care from St Barnabas. He battled for four months, before sadly passing away on July 2nd 2020 with his family around him at home.
“St Barnabas provided us with regular contact and support during those last few weeks. They had a calming influence on the situation, which was so important to us during those tough times. They were there for us after he died too. It was such a tragic loss for us, but St Barnabas made it a somewhat easier situation to deal with. They were there when needed with a friendly voice.
“My Father, John was my best friend, a loving Husband, Father, Grandad, Brother and Uncle; the life and soul of our family and so sorely missed.
“As a member of a triathlon club based in Lincoln, I wanted to challenge myself and raise some much-needed funds for the Hospice along the way. I had completed the London Marathon 8 times but hadn’t done an Iron Man distance since 2015.
“I decided on a full Iron distance triathlon called The Outlaw. It included an 3.8km swim, 180 km bike ride and then a 42km run. The time limit is 17 hours, but I finished in 13 hours and 2 mins on the day.”
Dan raised £3,259, far surpassing his original £2,000 target.
We would like to say a huge thanks to Dan, and each and every one of his supporters. This incredible donation will support more families, like Dan’s and patients, like John receive vital end of life care when they need it most.
If you would like to show your support and thank Dan for his incredible effort visit his Just Giving page; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Daniel-Vines5
If you would like to take on a challenge to support the Hospice, visit our website. Your next Adventure awaits; Adventure with us – St Barnabas Hospice
Puddleducks Day Care in Lincoln is taking part in Rudy’s Run 2021 in memory of Sam Gibbins
My name is Caroline and I am an OFSTED registered childminder, working alongside my husband, Simon, at Puddleducks Day Care in Lincoln. We are honoured to be asked to take part in the Rudy’s Run again this year.
Last year we took part in Rudy’s Run after one of our children’s parents at the day care was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. Everyone will agree that the pandemic was a very challenging year, however cancer made it even tougher.
Sadly, Sam passed away in July of this year. Sam was an amazing, strong lady, and her passing was devastating for everyone at Puddleducks. Sam never wanted self-pity and her motto was to live every day like it’s your last. After speaking to Sam’s husband and children, we have decided to take on Rudy’s Run once again this year in memory of Sam. We are hoping to raise lots of money for St Barnabas Hospice along the way.
Sam always spoke so highly of St Barnabas, who helped her so much throughout her illness. Before Sam gained her angel wings, she sent this amazing message about St Barnabas to me:
“St Barnabas helped me to fill out forms etc. to get extra support, whilst also helping to approach the whole situation with my children. They were really quick with it and got it all sorted straight away. They are so helpful, and there’s always someone there to speak to or ask advice. I have had so much support, which I appreciate so much. I think what you’re doing is fantastic. I am overwhelmed with Puddleducks raising lots of money for St Barnabas and I will be there to wave and cheer you all on.”
Here’s a little insight into last year’s challenge, and I hope lots of people join us in taking part in Rudy’s Run to raise money for such an amazing charity.
Last year we were open throughout the pandemic and went above and beyond to offer our parents the flexibility and care that they all required. We found that Christmas was going to be a challenge and felt the children in our setting still needed a magical experience.
With Sam being diagnosed with terminal cancer, we wanted to do a little something to show her that we were here for her and would support her along the way. At the time, St Barnabas had already been amazing to the family, so we decided we would take on St Barnabas Rudy’s Run.
So, in December 2020 we set about organising a memberable experience. Rudy Reindeer came for a social distanced visit to Puddleducks, which the children loved, before we set upon our challenge. For two weeks we did various runs, walks, dances and prancing, but most importantly we had fun.
We also ran various competitions like colouring, word searches and quizzes. Every child had the opportunity to make reindeer food, reindeer biscuits and reindeer treats. St Barnabas provided each duckling with a red nose and antlers, whilst my husband made Rudy run medals for all of the children.
The challenges were then set, and everyone was so excited about the adventure ahead of us. Every under 5-year-old did a mile, with some doing even longer. The older ducklings even ran 5km after school!
Over the two weeks we would set off in the mornings to our local park to follow a course. We had lots of cheers and donations along the way, which really made the children beam with delight. Alongside this we had set up a JustGiving page where we managed to raise £2,095. This absolutely blew us all away! The children loved checking the growing amount every morning and reading the lovely messages of support that we received.
We had a Christmas dinner with crackers and all the trimmings, and a visit from Santa. We also played party games and sang Christmas songs. Every duckling thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and talked about Rudy’s Run for ages.
To finish I would like to share a statement from Sam’s amazing daughter Jess:
“Earlier on this year, heaven gained a beautiful angel – my mum and Oscars grandma – Samantha Gibbins. Throughout her fight, she was surrounded by the most amazing people who supported and fought with her. Puddleducks accepted Oscar as one of their little ducklings, as they did previously with Mum’s youngest daughter, Abi. Puddleducks have shown such compassion and support, by raising money and completing charity events for St Barnabas. Rudy’s Run was the first event last Christmas, which was a sponsored run with all the children. The money raised was overwhelming and made my mum extremely proud. It helped her to remain positive and strong throughout her cancer journey. As a family we are eternally proud and grateful of the work Puddleducks have done and continue to do.”
“St Barnabas Hospice is like the hug you need after receiving your prognosis.”
Michelle Edwards is just 43 and was diagnosed with terminal metastatic breast cancer in her spine during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Incredibly, it was her beloved dog, Bobby Peanut, who sniffed the cancer out and prompted her to see a doctor.
Michelle said, “Bobby Peanut is my absolute world. He gives me cuddles, his licks away my tears and he actually found the initial cancer in my breast. Although the cancer is terminal, I am so grateful for his intuition which led to me receiving a diagnosis and finding the angels at St Barnabas Hospice.
“The moment the doctor said that I only had one to five years left to live was completely head spinning. My mind went blank and the whole world stopped for a millisecond. Then everything seemed to speed up again, but I was still miles behind. I still don’t think I have fully come to terms with it all.
“I was referred to the Hospice by one of the nurses at hospital and initially had mobility support from their occupational therapists, which was a huge help. Since then, I have been supported by the Welfare team with accessing benefits, as well as receiving counselling, relaxation sessions and tai chi from the Wellbeing and Community Services teams. You don’t think you need counselling, but I found that I was able to say things to my counsellor that I could never say to my parents. Even just talking to the nurses brightens up bad days and makes me feel stronger.
“What meant the most to me was that the nurses kept coming out to see me even though we were in the middle of the pandemic. That physical presence has been priceless. They have shown me that a terminal diagnosis doesn’t mean your life needs to end there and then. I am actually hoping to zip wire over the coal mines in Wales next year to raise money for the Hospice!
“When I saw that the charity partner for the Lincoln Imp Trail was St Barnabas Hospice, I was over the moon! I have even bought a miniature imp which I plan to paint in a dragon design. The full-size statues are incredible, and I particularly love the RAF imp in his blue uniform. All the artists are so talented, and I can’t wait to see the statues in real life.
“I’ve got my scooter all charged up and my friend is visiting from London in a couple of weeks. It will be great to show her the sights of Lincoln as well as all the imps. You don’t realise how important fundraising is to charities like St Barnabas until you’re in a position like mine. Accessing their services really does mean everything.
“The people at St Barnabas are not just there for when you die, they also help you to make the most of your life right up until that moment. They are there for the difficult days and for the better days. The Hospice is like the hug you need after receiving your prognosis. I am not alone and nor is my family.
“Without people raising money for the Hospice through things like the Imp Trail, people like me just wouldn’t have access to such incredible support and care. If I can give back half of what St Barnabas has done for me then I’ll always do what I can.”
“I can look after the wildflowers and talk to Dad at the same time when I just feel like I need him.”
Geoffrey Gowland was just 55 when he died, leaving behind his wife and children, Emma and Ashley. Emma has chosen to dedicate wildflowers in his memory to help her feel close to him, especially on tough days. She has done this through the St Barnabas Hospice Wildflower Memories Appeal. 
Emma said, “Dad had a really cheeky personality; he used to laugh and laugh at proper ‘dad jokes’ and was just a big child. He spent a lot of his life as a fireman helping others, and that was always his nature. He was the biggest family man and we were his life. As long as we were protected and safe, he was happy.
“He was diagnosed with cancer on 16th March 2016 and died just a couple of weeks later. Our heads were in a spin; we had barely managed to come to terms with his diagnosis before he was gone. My grandparents lost their son – Dad’s brother – when he was very young, so to find out they were losing another son just completely broke them.
“I felt like a lost little girl. I was 28 at the time 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 of our lives was St Barnabas Hospice. The dignity and care they showed my dad was like nothing I had ever imagined. From the moment the 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.
“One memory which really stands out to me was the Lincoln 10k that year. For a few years, Dad had taken part in the 10k, so this time his friends decided to take it on to show their support for him. When the nurses found out, they came outside with me, held my hand and cheered Dad’s friends on as they ran past the Hospice. I felt so supported and cared for in that moment. 
“Growing wildflowers in Dad’s memory is so special to me. I recently bought my first house, which is the first big milestone in my life that he hasn’t been there for. The wildflowers are something I can plant in my garden so that a part of him is here with me. I can look after the wildflowers and talk to Dad at the same time when I just feel like I need him.
“It’s so easy to order your wildflowers – you can do it all online. Just visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/wildflower and fill in a dedication form for your loved one with the amount you would like to donate. When you have finished, your dedication will appear on the screen and you can even share it on social media for friends and family to read!
“The lovely people at the Hospice will then post out your wildflower seeds, which are engrained into a beautiful painting done by Hannah Dale at Wrendale Designs. It comes with instructions on how to plant and care for the seeds, so could not be simpler.
“The seeds will carry on re-seeding themselves for years to come, so Dad can be there in my garden always.”
Wright Vigar takes on mammoth walking challenge to support St Barnabas
Wright Vigar, an accountancy company based in the East Midlands and London, decided to put their own spin on the Don’t Quit, Get Fit challenge, tasking their teams to walk the equivalent distance from their Lincoln to London office (a total of 130 miles)!
A St Barnabas nurse walks an average of 12,000 steps in one shift, meaning it would take them just over 21 days to walk a similar distance.
On average in the UK, we sit for 8.9 hours a day. For office workers, the majority of these hours are sat at a desk, which can create health risks. Understanding these risks, Wright Vigar have decided to give their teams a reason to get out and be active, knowing they are supporting such a worthwhile cause.
Tom Maxwell from Wright Vigar said, “If you have the chance, get involved with other people as it really helps to keep you motivated along the way. And remember, it doesn’t always have to be a race. Go at your own pace but be consistent and you will get there.
“St Barnabas make it really easy for you to get involved and are always on hand to answer any questions you might have about your fundraising efforts. They guide you through the process of getting your fundraiser set up and are always checking in to see how things are going.
“The team have always supported St Barnabas, previously taking on the Accumulator Challenge, as they really appreciate the work they do, understand how important it is and the amount of people it benefits. Our aim was to raise £500 with this challenge, but have actually raised £670 which will be match funded.
“Many of us have been working at home for a large proportion of the pandemic and doing some exercise provides a refreshing change of scenery to help clear your mind and gets your blood flowing. There’s nothing quite like fresh air and some exercise to get your creative juices flowing and boost energy levels.”
Click here to take part in the Don’t Quit, Get Fit challenge.
Lincolnshire Training Hub takes on Don’t Quit, Get Fit challenge for St Barnabas Hospice
Every day throughout April, members of the Lincolnshire Training Hub team (including GPs, nurses, management staff, medical students and nursing students) donned their walking shoes to clock up as many miles as they could across Lincolnshire!
Together, they smashed their target distance of 1500 miles. That’s more than double the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats! They have raised an incredible £750 for the Hospice.
Ruth Pollock, Project Manager at the Training Hub said, “As a primary care team, we are very aware of the health and wellbeing benefits of exercise. Getting outside and exercising is a great way to boost resilience and lose lockdown pounds! We found that having a target distance to aim for really spurs us on, as does undertaking the challenge as part of a team.
“The support provided by St Barnabas has been fantastic every step of the way. As well as written guidelines on how to set up a JustGiving page, fundraising tips and printable exercise logs, we have received regular phone calls to support and encourage us throughout the challenge.
“This is our first fundraising challenge in aid of St Barnabas. We have undertaken this challenge as we are aware that St Barnabas Hospice is currently losing £1,370 in fundraising and shop income every day due to Covid-19. We are hoping to raise as much money as we can to help them continue their vital work with terminally ill patients across Lincolnshire.
“Many of our team are front-line NHS clinicians and the pandemic has brought with it unprecedented challenges. Exercising outdoors is proven to lower blood pressure and stress levels and improve both physical and mental health.”
Click here to sign up for the Don’t Quit, Get Fit challenge.