6 Aug 2021 Community

The Day family’s big Get Together in memory of Richard Day

The Day family are planning something big this September as they host their third Get Together in four years – and they hope to raise as much as possible for The Kirkwood.

For the third year in a row, The Kirkwood Get Together will be taking over our community throughout September, with participants hosting in every corner of Kirklees. One of the events this year is being hosted by the Day family from Cleckheaton, who are raising money in memory of Richard Day, a lifelong Huddersfield Town supporter, who was cared for by The Kirkwood Nurses before his death in 2018.

The Day family raised a combined £2,200 for The Kirkwood across two coffee morning events in 2018 and 2019. Unable to hold an event in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the family are excited to raise even more vital funds for us by hosting Get Together at their home this September. Richard's granddaughter Poppy, now 13, was the driving force behind the family starting to raise money after seeing the amazing care her grandad received at the end of his life.

Sarah, Poppy, Sandra and The Kirkwood's Community Fundraising, Joanna, at the Day's Cuppa for Kirkwood in 2019

 

Sarah Asquith, Poppy's mum, said: "Poppy saw the advert for a Macmillan coffee morning when Richard was unwell. She turned to me and said, ‘why can't we do that for The Kirkwood?’ I told her we can raise money for The Kirkwood and that's where the idea came from.

"The whole family got involved. We raised £800 at the first event, and Sandra, my mother-in-law, brought the total up to £1,000. Then for the second event we raised £1,200. We really want to hit a similar target this time around.

"We'll have stalls again on the street and the whole family will get involved. From baking treats to selling homemade trinkets. It will be a fantastic day and we can’t wait to start planning."

Sarah and the whole Day family are proud to raise funds for The Kirkwood after the support they offered to the family at a difficult time.

 

"Things got very difficult at home and The Kirkwood Nurses came in and helped at the right time. Everything happened very fast over a six or seven-month period. The nurses came a few weeks before he died. His diagnosis was very fast, and he was told nothing could be done.

"The Kirkwood Nurses were fantastic and really looked after not just Richard, but the whole family. They made us feel incredibly welcome."

Due to Sarah's job, she is aware of the care The Kirkwood provide for people affected by a life limiting illness across Kirklees. She saw first-hand the difference The Kirkwood Nurses make every single day and this put her at ease when Richard was admitted to the In-Patient Unit in Dalton.

She said: "I know The Kirkwood really well and the great work they do all across Kirklees. I worked as a nurse at Dewsbury Hospital for 20 years and worked alongside the Palliative Care Team.

"At first, I think some of my family were daunted about The Kirkwood getting involved. However due to my job I wasn't because I saw first-hand the care and support they provide. As a family, we always spread the word and say to be people not to be daunted by the word Hospice."

You can join the Day family and others across your community in raising vital funds to support the care The Kirkwood Nurses provide for patients living with a life limiting illness right on your doorstep by hosting your own Get Together this September. To get your free fundraising pack, simply click here and fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.