13 Oct 2018 Care

Hospice Care Week: Helping other people on their journey

To celebrate Hospice Care Week from the 8th - 14th October 2018, we are sharing a different story each day to showcase the amazing reach that Kirkwood has across our community. We are here to support anyone affected by a life limiting illness, every step of the way. This is Poppy's story.

Kirkwood is with you on your journey, every step of the way. For many, supporting Kirkwood following the death of a loved one is an important way to pay tribute to their life. Your help, in whatever form it takes, will make sure we are here to support others on their own journey.

Back in September, 10-year-old Kirkwood supporter, Poppy Day, filled her family home in Cleckheaton with sweet treats as she hosted a Coffee Morning to raise vital funds in memory of her grandfather, Richard Day.

Poppy with Grandma, Sandra

 

On Saturday 22nd September, Poppy brought lots of her family and friends together for a Coffee Morning and silent auction with a difference, raising an amazing £820 in memory of her grandad, Richard.

This total was then topped up to £1,000 by Poppy’s grandma, Sandra, who wanted to give back to Kirkwood after seeing first hand the care her husband was given at the Hospice.

Beloved husband, father and grandad to the Day family, Richard, spent a week being cared for by the Hospice’s outstanding team on the In-Patient Unit at the end of his life in August this year.

After spending time visiting her grandad, Poppy made the decision to raise money for Kirkwood by hosting a Coffee Morning so that other people could receive care like he did.

Poppy said: “When I came to visit my grandad at Kirkwood, I thought the place was very good. I wanted to help Kirkwood to look after other people like my Grandad.”

"I wanted to help Kirkwood to look after other people like my Grandad." Poppy Day

Poppy hosted the morning with Mum Sarah, Dad Mark, 14-year-old Brother Jack and Grandma Sandra. They were also joined by her uncle Jonathan, Auntie Katy along with cousins Harry, George, Ella and Lucy, who were all eager to help raise money for Kirkwood.

Poppy invited friends and parents from her Year 6 class at Heaton Avenue Primary School and local Girl Guiding group to come along on the day after spending the week leading up to the event baking mountains of cakes and buns with her mum Sarah.

Poppy took hosting the morning in her stride, as she spent the day encouraging friends and family to purchase raffle tickets for the silent auction and announcing the winners in front of the whole party.

Poppy’s grandma, Sandra, currently volunteers at Dewsbury Hospital and would like to volunteer her time for Kirkwood in the future.

Sandra said: “It was a chaotic and emotional day, but worth it.

"We just can’t thank you enough. Kirkwood is an amazing place." Sandra Day

“We just can’t thank you enough. Kirkwood is an amazing place.

“My grandchildren loved the gardens when they came to visit Richard at Kirkwood, they loved the pond.”

Following the Day family’s achievements, Poppy and her family paid a visit to Kirkwood on Monday 8th October to present Community Fundraiser, Nicola Barber, with the money they raised.

Nicola said: “We are so grateful for all the hard work and effort Poppy and her family have put in to the Coffee Morning, we can’t thank them enough.

“It is people like the Day family that enable Kirkwood to continue providing care to anyone with a life limiting illness in Kirklees.”