10 Mar 2025 Personal Stories

Taking a Leap of Faith: One Nurse’s Passionate Drive to Help Secure The Kirkwood’s Future

Facing challenges head-on, The Kirkwood has never shied away from difficulties and obstacles placed before them - A passionate movement made up of 1,445 employees and volunteers who pride themselves on their contribution to helping families and individuals affected by life-limiting illnesses.

Earlier this year, we announced the heartbreaking reality of The Kirkwood's financial position. Underfunded with relentless rises in the cost of living and National Insurance has created difficulties for not only our hospice and community teams but Hospices nationwide. In the previous year, The Kirkwood was supported by 16,782 individuals taking up fundraising initiatives and generating income via sponsorship for various activities and challenges. This kind of fundraising is the lifeblood of our income generation and has supported us in reaching more people than ever before, but sadly, it has not been enough to shield us from the nationwide impact of austerity.

But for one dedicated nurse, the solution is not to retreat, it was to answer the call to action and jump straight in to help, literally. Fearlessly taking on the 15,000ft skydive, mirroring the daily battles of patients and families grappling with the feeling of freefalling when caring for a loved one with a complex life-limiting illness. Anna's Skydive is more than a fundraiser; it is a testament to the resilience, compassion, and determination of our movement and the teams that work tirelessly to make the complex simple.

Anna's journey with The Kirkwood began as an auxiliary nurse in August of 2004, taking on the 'twilight' shifts she began her training to become a Staff Nurse in January 2005, allowing her to fit in her university studies around earning a living, until she had graduated.

"I worked as an auxiliary nurse all the way through the training. As a student when you reach the last three months of your training you are asked to choose three places where you would like to complete your placements. I spent my last three months as a student at The Kirkwood, and then as soon as I qualified, they offered me a job.

"I never wanted to work anywhere else. Literally, as soon as I walked through the door, I knew this is where I wanted to be."
 

Prior to Anna's nursing career, she had worked in mills and factories and has also experienced the hardships of redundancies. Anna explains in her own words; "I did all sorts of stuff, and then I was made redundant again. I just didn't know what else to do, and I heard of some jobs going in a care home.

"My mum always wanted me to be a nurse and follow in her footsteps, so, I got a job in a care home for about six months, and I loved it, but that style of caring didn't feel like the right fit for me."

So why was The Kirkwood such an important part of Anna's career path?

In 1995 at the age of nineteen, Anna's dad died from Motor Neuron Disease 'MND', and at that time hospices did not cover the varying illnesses they do today and focused on treating and supporting those dying from cancer.

Anna explains; "My dad never came to The Kirkwood, because back then hospices didn't cover the diverse range of terminal illnesses that they do today. But now if someone is diagnosed with MND they are immediately referred to receive specialist palliative care and support from charities and hospices like The Kirkwood."

As far as Anna can remember, her dad never received hospice or palliative care, which could have helped manage her dad’s symptoms and pain. Having a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse to talk to the family about what was happening and what to expect, would have given reassurance and comfort at a difficult time.

"I know what it's like to live with someone who is dying. Back then, there were no communication aids or anything of the sort. I knew how frightening it was for me and my family, which is why I wanted to come here, because I know what it is like.

"Although Dad had no idea what a Hospice did. I just knew I wanted to be there for people who were dying, and I have never, ever looked back. It's the best job in the world."

Anna embodies every value we look for in an employee at The Kirkwood: She is Respectful, Open, Honest, Passionate and Determined, so when the word broke of the devastating news that we were proposing to make significant cuts to our services as we face the worst financial crisis in our history. This sent shockwaves through The Kirkwood and was a heavy blow for everyone involved in the care patients receive, including Anna.

Anna comments: "I couldn't believe it. I cannot believe we are in this situation. It is so upsetting knowing what we do and everything the public does to help support us, and still, it has come to this. When I saw myself on the regional news, I cried. I just could not believe I was having to watch this unfold. - It made it all very real, very quickly."

The support from the public has been overwhelming since the news broke. We have been inundated with people wanting to help in whatever capacity they can, be that by signing up to play The Big K Lottery, making monthly donations by becoming a Regular Giver, donations to our shops and fundraising activities.

The ripple effect of this news was felt strongly across the whole organization, it was at this point Anna decided she would jump into action and signed up to take on one of our fundraising challenges, The Kirkwood Skydive, this April.

"I've worked here for a long, long time now and I'm heartbroken at the situation we're in. I want to help, and I want to help keep my colleague's jobs safe and The Kirkwood to continue the care we provide to so many.

"I did a skydive once before. I cannot even remember when, but it was many years ago for The Kirkwood. But I thought, life is too short, let’s do another one and fundraise as much as I can to help.

"My fundraising is going really well. I am near the 85% mark of my target at £400 and I have not really pushed my JustGiving Page properly yet. It is on my Facebook page and should reach quite a few people. I'm going to get some paper sponsorship forms too, for those who would like to sponsor me but are less tech-savvy."

Anna's courageous leap embodies the spirit of The Kirkwood Movement through these challenging times. Her story, woven with personal loss, unwavering dedication, and a fierce determination to protect The Kirkwood’s future, serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of people like Anna, and the countless others who rise to the occasion, and prove that even in the face of adversity, compassion and action can create lasting change.

Support Anna and her Skydive this April by donating to her page 

There's still time, if you would like to sign up for Skydive this April or September, you can sign up using the button below, but be quick, spaces are filling up fast.