On Saturday 22nd October, The Mayfair Club in Louth held an annual Rock & Roll Dance in memory of local resident Andy Mumby, who was cared for by St Barnabas in the last days of his life.
Andy’s sister Karen Jaines has been organising this event for nine years, and in that time the annual event has raised over £25,000 for various cancer charities, with the majority donated to St Barnabas Hospice as the Dance’s chosen main charity.
Karen says: “The Dance is always a fantastic night! It’s a great annual event supported by family, friends, and the local community.
“About 70 people came and enjoyed live music by local band Thee Un-named and took part in our raffle, auction, and games to raise money for St Barnabas. All proceeds of the night on the night came to £950.
”My dance teaching partner, and part of my fundraising team, Mike Knaggs and his wife Annette have recently celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary and were gifted £680 which they have added to our fundraising total. That means that we have altogether raised a huge £1,630!
“Mike’s mother was actually one of the district nurses for St Barnabas in the old days, who drove the charity’s first steps into fundraising so he has a strong connection to the cause as well.
“We had such a great time on the night, and we are very proud of the total we have raised to support St Barnabas.”
Karen has been involved in other fundraising events for the Hospice as well, and even took the leap in a skydive challenge in memory of her brother.
In recent years, Covid restrictions did not hamper Karen and her friends’ enthusiasm for the Dance, instead organising a socially distanced Rock & Roll Stroll event in their driveways to continue the tradition.
Karen says: “The reason I’m supporting St Barnabas is because of the amazing care, support, and kindness the staff showed Andy and the whole family.
“In January 2012, Andy was diagnosed with cancer and was only 44 years old when he passed that October. He fought very hard to stay at home and the last few days of his life he was cared for by St Barnabas Hospice.
“The staff were amazing and took such great care of him, I remember a nurse staying with him all night on his first night in as he was so unsettled. I can’t thank the wonderful nurses enough for the care Andy received and the support my family received.
“My dad was unable to be with Andy at the end, but when he returned with me to deliver a donation a few months later the staff were wonderfully kind and showed him the room Andy was in. they talked about Andy and had remembered him as a person, not just a passing number. It meant the world to my dad and myself.
“If my fundraising can help others receive this amazing care, I will be for ever grateful.”
St Barnabas extend their heartfelt thanks to Karen, Mike, Annette and all the attendees of the Rock & Roll Dance.
For every £1 St Barnabas Hospice raises, 74p will go straight to delivering and improving our care and support, with the other 26p going towards generating future income.
If you would like to donate to support people like Andy, please visit the website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/donate/
Pictured at the top of the story are L-R: Irene Bett, Mike Knaggs, Karen Jaines
