From left to right: Sharon Yell, Sarah Ward (General Manager for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice) and Diane Bell.
Two sisters spent more than a year planning a charity ball to remember their Mum and to raise money for the local hospice who cared for her in her final days
A total of £13,895 was raised for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice and Pancreatic Cancer UK from a charity ball held in memory of a brave woman who lost her fight with cancer.
Over 160 people turned out for the event at Kenwick Park Hotel in Louth on 10th October 2014 as a tribute to Irene Larder, 69, from Market Rasen.
The charity ball was organised by her daughters Diane Bell, 44 and Sharon Yell, 41 who spent a year planning the event.
Diane said: “We were keen to organise the ball because we wanted to give something back for all the wonderful care we had received as a family.
“That was the unique thing about St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, they didn’t just look after Mum, they looked after the whole family.
“Mum spent three weeks in the hospice and the care Mum received was second to none and best of all they kept her dignity throughout.”
The black tie event included raffles, music, a three course meal and also an auction with donated prizes such as an afternoon at a Premier League football ground, motor racing hospitality and pamper sessions.
Diane’s employers, TSB, are further boosting the total amount raised through their Match Giving initiative.
Sharon said: “This is the first time we have ever planned an event and we were lucky to have the help of our family and friends who gave up their time to support us. They understood how important it was for us to be able to give something back.
“If I’m completely honest in the beginning I didn’t want Mum to come to St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice because I was frightened of what lay behind those doors.
“I soon realised there was no reason to be frightened and the staff there instantly put us all at ease. We soon came to feel very safe at the hospice and very cared for.
“The nurses there were simply wonderful and we started to think of them as our friends. They understood the complex emotions we were experiencing and encouraged us to talk about how we were feeling. They really empathised with what we were going through.”
Irene was admitted into the hospice in November 2011 after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in October 2011.
Diane said: “The onset of the disease was very sudden and Mum deteriorated extremely quickly. It was hard to watch but the Doctors at the hospice took the time to explain to us what was happening and what to expect as Mum’s condition worsened.
“Most importantly they were always very honest with us; we knew exactly what was happening at all times.”
Irene had celebrated her 69th birthday in the hospice before sadly dying on 6th December 2011.
Diane said: “There is nothing quite like St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice. Nothing was ever too much trouble and they cared for Mum with such unbridled depths of compassion.
“For that reason alone we will always support them in any of our fundraising efforts. We just want be able to repay them for their care and kindness.”