“I’m so proud that our children understand the importance of places like St Barnabas.”

6th August 2019

Jackie and her grandchildren

Jackie Fisher was diagnosed out of the blue with brain cancer in June 2018. After receiving care both at home and in our Hospice, she sadly died in November 2018, age 67.

Jackie’s grandchildren, Dylan and Anna, have raised around £1,250 for St Barnabas through running the Colour Dash and organising a variety of their own fundraising events. Jackie’s daughter, Helen, has chosen to share her hospice care story and talk about the fundraising the family has done since.

Dylan and Anna

Helen said:

“Mum received fantastic care both at home and in the Hospice. We will never forget the care and dignity she received, nor the support given to our family during such a horrendous time. We will always support the Hospice and are proud that the children really do understand the importance of places like St Barnabas.

“Dylan, my son, and Anna, my niece, both spent time at the Hospice with their granny. They were able to read to her, paint her nails and talk to her. They, along with my younger sons aged four and one, were always so welcomed by the staff. This gave us valuable time as a family to be together. As ill as Mum was, she always knew when they were there.

“The children understand that sometimes people are too poorly to recover, and that’s when places like St Barnabas are so important. Being able to have some normality, such as Anna sitting and painting Mum’s nails, softened the harsh reality of how poorly she was for the children.

“Those are the things they will remember. They were able to see the wonderful care Granny received and were always comfortable visiting as it is such a relaxed environment.

“Although our lives have been turned upside down and our loss is so enormous, we really are so grateful to St Barnabas for everything that was done for Mum. I just don’t know how we would have coped without the Hospice.

Dylan and St Barnabas representative“The children felt they wanted to give something back to the Hospice after the care their granny received, which is why they decided to do so many fundraising events.

“Back in December, Dylan held a Christmas tombola, raising around £170. Dylan and Anna have also held an Easter event which raised £500. This event was just on our driveway in Woodhall Spa, where they did a raffle, hook-a-duck, lucky dip and cake stall. There are already plans in place for next year’s Easter fundraiser!

“We are so proud of what they are doing for St Barnabas Hospice and as a family we’d like to thank everyone involved in the care and support of both Mum and our family.”

St Barnabas Hospice provides free care to people across Lincolnshire living with a life-limiting or terminal illness and their families and carers. To find out more about the different ways we can help, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk.

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