Luca, age 8 will be running in memory of his Nanny, Karen at the Colour Dash and has raised an incredible £350 using his Facebook Fundraiser. We have spoken to Luca to learn a little more about his Nanny and to his mum Lydia, Karen’s stepdaughter about the support the family received from St Barnabas.
“Nanny always looked after everyone so well. We all loved her so much. We used to walk into Lincoln, over the blue bridge. I always wanted to wait for the trains, and she’d let me. I miss her so much. Thank you to the nurses at St Barnabas for caring for my Nanny.”
Lydia, Luca’s mum and Karen’s stepdaughter explains why St Barnabas means so much to the family.
“Karen was my step mum, and me and my siblings felt so blessed to have her in our lives. She loved us, and my mum, her wife Ashley immensely. She had a wicked sense of humour and absolutely adored her grandchildren. They gave her so much joy, especially when they reached toddler age and started to get into things and started to express their personalities. Karen loved to travel and had been many places and had a huge love of animals. A keen tennis fan, she loved Wimbledon and didn’t miss it for 20 years. Karen worked as a nurse for the NHS for over 30 years and loved her job.
We were so blessed to have Karen in our lives and love us all the way she did. She was the best sounding board and have the best advice.
We miss her every day.
Karen was 63 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was a real blow to us all, but she vowed to fight it all the way and that’s exactly what she did.
Karen had a very rare form of ovarian cancer and it was exceptionally aggressive. But she underwent treatment she was told she couldn’t have because it wouldn’t work, but it did! Her prognosis was six months, but she stayed with us for two and a half years. She gave it everything she had. She was strong and we drew from her strength. She was a warrior and we fought hard with her. Now that she has gone, there is a huge void in our lives.
Karen wished to remain at home until she passed away and St Barnabas were key in making sure that this time at home was as comfortable as possible and that she maintained her dignity. They were so caring, thoughtful, kind and considerate and not just to Karen, the care extended to us too.
They were excellent after Karen had died, making sure my Mum, Ashley had access to counselling and support.”
If you would like to set up your own Facebook Fundraiser, to raise your sponsorship for the Colour Dash – it can be done in minutes.