3 Jan 2025 Community

Heather Dyson’s Journey: Honouring Loss and Supporting The Kirkwood

Heather Dyson’s journey is one of resilience, community spirit, and an unwavering dedication to a cause close to her heart. Her connection to The Kirkwood is deeply personal, rooted in her experiences of loss and the exceptional care provided to her loved ones by the hospice.

Through her efforts, she has created a legacy of giving back, ensuring that others in need can benefit from the same compassionate support her family received.

Heather's story began in 2020 with a profound loss that no parent should endure. On Christmas Day, her eldest son Michael, just 33 years old, died suddenly: “Michael was the most kind hearted, loving, and generous man you could meet,” Heather recalls. She continued: “He wasn’t ill, and his passing was very sudden.”

Michael’s untimely death was devastating, compounded by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, even in her grief, Heather found a way to honour her son’s memory in a manner that celebrated his life and passions.

Michael had been an avid crown green bowler, playing in leagues since the age of seven. It was fitting, therefore, that Heather her husband Stewart and their family including Michael’s three siblings Emma, Leanne and Jordan decided to organise a memorial competition in his name.

This event became not only a celebration of Michael’s love for bowling but also a fundraiser for a cause dear to their hearts, The Kirkwood. The competition is held at Almondbury Liberal club, and is usually held in the last two weeks of September. 

The Kirkwood holds a special place in Heather’s family history. “They cared for my brother Philip, who had brain cancer, and my sister-in-law Diane, who also had cancer. The love and care they received while there was second to none,” she explains.

This exceptional care inspired Heather to direct the funds raised from Michael’s memorial competition to the hospice.

Over the past three years, the event has grown into a community tradition, raising nearly £4,000 for The Kirkwood. But it’s more than just a fundraiser; it’s a day filled with joy, laughter, and remembrance.

Competitors are encouraged to wear the most outlandish, brightly coloured shirts they can find, or face a £5 fine, all proceeds of which go directly to the The Kirkwood.

In 2023, the event took on even greater significance as Heather’s brother David was being cared for by The Kirkwood. “David was excited to see what we could raise and looked forward to the pictures of the event,” Heather shares. Tragically, David died the day after the competition. “The Kirkwood made his final days comfortable. Nothing is too much for them. He passed in a place that cared for him.”

Heather is passionate about raising awareness of The Kirkwood’s services and dispelling common misconceptions. “David thought that to go into the hospice, he had to pay,” she says. “This point needs relaying. So many people think the hospice isn’t free, when it is.”

This misbelief underscores the importance of community fundraising efforts like Heather’s. The Kirkwood provides vital respite and palliative care at no cost to patients, supported by generous donations from the public.

For Heather, The Kirkwood embodies the word “care” in its truest sense. “They help not just the ones receiving attention, but also their families,” she explains. From offering a cup of tea and a listening ear to providing professional counselling, The Kirkwood supports grieving families through their darkest hours.

This holistic approach is what drives Heather to continue her fundraising efforts year after year. “This is why people like me, and so many others, do what we do to raise funds for the hospice. It is a vital resource needed in the community.”

Heather Dyson’s story is one of turning personal loss into a force for good. Through the Michael Dyson Memorial Competition, she has created a legacy for her son while supporting a lifeline for families in need.

The event’s colourful shirts and spirit reflect Michael’s vibrant personality and zest for life, proving that even in the face of tragedy, joy and kindness can endure.

For Heather, the mission is clear to ensure that The Kirkwood can continue its vital work for generations to come. Her efforts are a testament to the power of community, the importance of care, and the enduring strength of a mother’s love.