The Barlows are asking people across Leeds to join them in helping to raise vital funds to support a local hospice. Every year Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley cares for more than 1,000 people living with life-limiting conditions through a range of services so that people can have choice and control over how and where they receive their care.
All the services provided by the hospice are completely free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs the hospice £11,000 every day to keep its doors open. Only part of these costs is covered by statutory funds while more than 50% is covered by voluntary donations. The hospice is launching a Mother’s Day appeal throughout February until Mother’s Day to ensure it has enough funds to continue to be here when people need it most.
The Barlows know too well how important the work of the hospice is as one of the siblings, Jackie Barlow, explains: ‘Our mum was an incredible woman – strong and independent. After she was diagnosed with colon cancer, she had three months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unfortunately the treatments had no effect. Chemotherapy in particular affected her really badly and made her feel sick and weak.
She didn’t like the idea of a hospice. But as soon as she walked through Wheatfields’ doors, everything changed. She had her own room which meant privacy and dignity, and we decorated it with pictures. We felt much better when my mum was at the hospice.
I knew staff would have called us any time of the day if there were some significant changes in mum.
I loved how they always made sure mum looked lovely. They would do her hair, keep her clean and tidy, moisturise her body. This was so important to her.
At the end mum wanted to die at the hospice. It was a peaceful, dignified death. We could have not hoped for a better place for mum to end her last days.’
If you would like to ensure that other people like Jackie can access hospice care when most needed, please support the appeal with a donation.
You can:
• Make a donation online at
www.sueryder.org/wheatfields/mothers
• Send a cheque to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, Grove Road, Headingley, LS6 2AE
• Call our fundraising team on 0113 2033 373
