Communities of Kirklees Get Together in support of The Kirkwood.

This September, communities from across Kirklees got together to support The Kirkwood. Tea, coffee, cake, and heads shaves were all on the agenda at this year's Get Togethers, proving a busy but fun month of socialising and community spirit.

The Kirkwood provides specialist care, free of charge to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life, and are committed to the continuation of the high level of care we pride ourselves on. Respecting the individual needs and wishes of our patients and their families.

A large part of those services is delivered by our community nursing team, visiting Patients in their homes or care homes across Kirklees, offering their expertise and care to those that need them most. We are indebted to the generous support we receive from the community, which enables us to continue doing what we do best, allowing us to support those affected by life-limiting illnesses - every step of the way.

This year we had a great response to The Kirkwood Get Together. We reached more people in the community, who are supporting families and carers who didn’t know where to turn in times of crisis. Thanks to the efforts of people such as Elaine Holroyd, Sam and Leanne, Support Groups like Team Serenity, The Kirkwood shops, businesses like Sheards Chartered Accountants Ltd and Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, and the communities of Kirklees, together we achieved great things, raising a wonderful amount towards the continuation of the care we provide.

Bobtown, one of the annual Get Togethers is hosted by Elaine Holroyd and was held on the 17th of September. Each year Bobtown Family Friendly Get Together expands, and this year was no exception, with additional stall holders and entertainment lineups, and the new addition of the church helping to host the catering for visitors, allowing for more flexibility with space in the main hall and car park. In previous years Elaine's Bobtown Family Friendly Get Together has hosted many memorable moments, and one of those moments was in 2021. Elaine and four family members braved the shave, shaving their heads as part of the event, an emotional moment for the family and everyone who was there on the day to witness it. Their efforts boosted the fundraising pot further on the day.

That day held special meaning to Elaine and her family, as she explains: "The day was so special because it raised vital funds and gave something back to the people who helped me and many others suffering from life-threatening diseases. The Kirkwood are not just here to help you die. They are here to help you live and cope with cancer and various other long-term illnesses.”

Inspired by Elaine's story and positive outlook on life, this year saw another person rise to the challenge, braving to shave for The Kirkwood. This person was non-other than The Kirkwood CEO himself, Michael Crowther.

Michael explains: “Elaine has chosen to channel the challenges she has faced into a passion for raising awareness of The Kirkwood's services. She believes the care offered to her and her family has meant that they can focus on their quality of life and the memories they make in whatever time she has left.

She is so passionate about the care available to people in her local community and simply refuses to allow anyone to miss out because they don’t know about The Kirkwood. She refuses to allow the vital funds needed to pay for those services to be a barrier, sharing her time and energy to deliver the Bobtown Family Friendly Get Together.

At the most difficult of times, Elaine refuses to let down others in need.

So, when she asked me if I would follow her example and shave my head this year, I certainly wasn’t going to let her down. It was the least I could do for someone who has given so much.”

The foot flow at this year's Bobtown Family Friendly Get together was a great mix of young and old, all supporting the same cause. There was something for everyone. From tombolas and stalls to a kid's fancy dress contest, and virtual cat show competition.

Elaine comments: “The local community has come out once again to support The Kirkwood. We’ve had fantastic donations from local shops, families, friends, and neighbours. To say we are having such a hard time at the moment, with the whole country struggling, it's great to see people still coming out to support us,”

Elaine was pleased to tell us that the Bobtown Get Together has been established as an annual event, which is now diarised in the community hall diary. Elaine said: “It will continue for long after we’ve all gone”.

Another annual Get Together was Sam and Leanne’s, held on the 10th of September, which saw many supporters gather at The Kirkwood Dalton site. Coming together as a community following the saddening news of HM The Queen's death the week before.

Hosted in the support and therapy room, visitors arrived in their droves to indulge in conversation, coffee and cake which was kindly donated by supporters of The Kirkwood and served by our dedicated volunteers.

A minute's silence was held as a mark of respect to the Royal Family, led by Community Fundraiser Julia Owen. In attendance was The Kirkwood founder David Stocks, a regular visitor to most of The Kirkwood events, continuing to show his support and involvement in the progress and success of The Kirkwood.

Hosts, Sam and Leanne, put out a lovely spread for their visitors alongside their tombola and raffles, with the prizes varying from child-friendly items like teddies and toys to more grown-up prizes, and with no plan to stop hosting, you can expect the same fun and friendly atmosphere next year.

This year we also saw more businesses getting involved in The Big Kirkwood Get Together, and this included, Sheards Chartered Accountants Ltd and Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors. The Kirkwood business movement members and dynamic duo Lucy and Ellie combined their efforts for their Get Together. Beginning their fundraising journey by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Meeting at Horton in Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire, on September the 2nd. Scaling Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a 12-hour, challenging journey, walking approximately 25 miles, and after some much-needed rest, the team moved onto the second part of their Get Together. This time with a well-deserved and relaxing evening of fine wine tasting, with local wine merchants "Hoult’s Wine" accompanied by delicious food by “Bolster Moor” at Huddersfield Town Hall, which took place on September the 21st.

The event proved to be a roaring success with all who attended, with fine wines flowing and a healthy mix of networking, laughter and cheer.

With so many success stories from this year's Get Together we are so excited for next year and are already in the planning to make next year bigger and better than ever, we can't wait to reveal more next summer but until then, we would like to take this opportunity to thank every single host and supporter who made this year's Get Togethers so special. Without the kindness and support of the community, we simply wouldn’t be able to offer the services we do to so many. We hope the Get Together events added a little bit of sunshine to the end of your Summer this year, and we look forward to getting together with you all next year.