Hospice at Home West Cumbria is an amazing service which not only looks after patients but also supports their families and those closest to them. I hold this very worthy cause close to my heart and support the charity with fundraising throughout the year and give donations at Christmas. I know that all the money I raise stays in this local area.

My late mam Sandra sadly lost her battle with lung cancer in January 2012. Our GP at the time suggested we look at getting the hospice nurses in to give us a bit of help. Someone from hospice visited us for an initial meeting to talk about what support we needed and what they could put in place to help us. The first nurse through our door to care for mam was Lesley Cole, we were so grateful for the help, and later found out that it was in fact Lesley’s very first shift with Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

We had a few different nurses involved with mams care, and I can honestly say they are all real angels. They gave us 110% care and outstanding compassion to not only my mam, but to all of us as a family. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

As a family felt we would never ever be able to repay these ladies back for the support they gave us, and so that’s when we decided to support hospice at home in whichever way we can. We have held charity nights, my daughter Rebecca has done a sky dive and we also give donations in memory of my mam at Christmas.  I have also spent some time volunteering in their Whitehaven shop.

My latest fundraising idea was with a beautiful little girl called Dusty-Rae who is the daughter of Rachel and John Stables. Rachel and I work together and she knows how passionate I am about supporting Hospice at Home West Cumbria, so that teamed with her daughters love of singing, lead to Dusty-Rae singing ‘A Whole New World’ which her mam recorded and then posted to social media where an incredible £718 was raised! Dusty-Rae is only 3 years old, and is a little star in the making. She is the youngest daughter of Rachel and John (and I believe the youngest fundraiser for hospice at home!) and is supported by her three sisters and three brothers. I would like to thank them all for supporting me with this fundraising for hospice at home.

Our next fundraising plan is already in the pipeline as my husband is going to take part in the virtual Great North Run on Sunday 13th September! He had a hip replacement on 12th September last year so 12 months on he is going to walk the 13.1 miles and fundraise for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

I would like to say to all involved at Hospice at Home West Cumbria a heartfelt thank you for all you do. Keep smiling, keep providing the great service you do and I will continue to support the charity in any way I can.

One of the nurses mentioned in this story is Lesley Cole, and Lesley still remembers her first shift as a hospice nurse, caring for Sandra and her family. Lesley said: “Sandra will always have a special place in my heart; she was such a beautiful and brave lady. It was my first shift with Hospice at Home West Cumbria, I’m not sure who was more anxious, Sandra or me? We were both soon at ease and it was an absolute privilege to be welcomed into their home and help this lovely family care for Sandra”.

For more information on how to support Hospice at Home West Cumbria or the services we provide please contact 01900 705200 or email info@hhwc.org.uk