WITH DIGNITY · Welcome to your autumn edition of Living with Dignity magazine Saint Francis...

LIVINGWITH DIGNITYOur news for our supporters

TIME TO REFRESHGive your home a boost with a little help from our furniture stores.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGACYTalking about what you want can be enough.

RUNNING FOR THE HOSPICEFrom Tough Mudders to the London Marathon, people are getting fit and raising funds.

REMEMBERING DAVEA little support when they needed it made a lot of difference to one family.

2 | LIVING WITH DIGNITY | Autumn 2018 www.sfh.org.uk

Top L-R: Sir Trevor Brooking and Lady Brooking join us at the Hospice as we welcome them both as our newest Patrons. An incredible and fun day at our Bubble Rush event at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, walking through four foam stations with Mike Palfreman, CEO, Haven House Children's Hospice. Celebrating the Royal Wedding with a Royal Wedding Breakfast at the Hospice with Lisa Anderson, PA.

Welcome to your autumn edition of Living with Dignity magazine

Saint Francis Hospice in numbers

followers on our Facebook page.

patients cared for in 2017/18.

patients have a non cancer primary

diagnosis.

is needed every day in voluntary income to

fund our services.

delegates were welcomed to our

annual conference.

28.8% 7,1801,693 70£

£21,000

What a summer we’ve had – full of glorious sunshine, incredible sporting events and, as always, endless activity here at the Hospice. I’m delighted you are receiving this latest edition of Living with Dignity, as you are a valued supporter of our work.

The aim of this bi-annual publication is simply to give you an overview of what’s going on in our Hospice, to share any news we believe you may find interesting, and to let you know about our upcoming events and activities that you may like to get involved in. Since our spring edition, we have published our Quality Account, which is available on our website, held a number of events, launched new projects, thanked our volunteer army, and welcomed new Patrons. All of these can be read about inside! We live in a world where hundreds and hundreds of charities are vying for the pound that people want to donate to a good cause, and this is something that we, and many other hospices, continue to struggle with. Our Fundraising team work their socks off to create different events, to appeal to a wide audience, and try to provide something for everyone – from quiz nights to car shows, with marathons in between, our events calendar is always full! And that’s just our events – we’re so lucky to have an incredibly supportive local community that are continually

carrying out their own fundraising efforts on our behalf, from cake sales to physical challenges. Whatever the methods of raising funds, we’re so grateful that you are thinking of your local Hospice. Without this continued support we couldn’t have delivered over 15,000 consultations in 2017/18; without these much-needed funds we couldn’t have made 2,839 visits to patients' homes; and without people taking time out of their busy lives to challenge themselves and raise money, we couldn’t have carried out 3,912 bereavement consultations. You see, with only 28% of our funding coming from the government, every penny raised by you, and by everyone else who takes our cause into their hearts, is vital to our Hospice, allowing us to continue to provide care to those with life-limiting illnesses, both in the comfort of their own homes as well as in our Hospice ward. Please do grab a cup of tea, put your feet up for 10 minutes and read all about people who have done exactly that in this latest publication – I hope you’ll find it as inspiring as I do!

Pam CourtCEO

NEWS | A QUICK UPDATE

Autumn 2018 | LIVING WITH DIGNITY | 3www.sfh.org.uk

It goes without saying that the Thrift Green Trotters love to run but they also step-up to make a difference!

And when 10 members ran the London Marathon in April, they raised an incredible £19,500 to fund our specialist end of life care services.

Thank youIt’s not just the awesome runners we need to thank - scores of members also spent the day handing out water at the Mile 10 drinks station and many showed their support by cheering on the hot and weary runners.

"We are immensely proud of our runners for completing the marathon on what was the hottest London Marathon on record and we are equally relieved to see them all come home safely," said Lynsey Prentice, who is a member of the Thrift Green Trotters.

"Our passionate support for Saint Francis Hospice is simple - so

Thrift Green Trotters raise £19,500

many people have had first-hand experience of the Hospice and its services, and we want to ensure they are available to other people in their time of need."

The club, which is based at the Brentwood Centre, originally set out to raise £15,000 for the Hospice but thanks to its huge fundraising efforts which included quiz evenings, curry nights and golf days, it smashed its target!

Outstanding support This latest figure is on top of the £23,000 the Trotters have raised for the charity over the past two years.

Chris Franklin, Events Manager at the Hospice, said, “The support we receive from the Thrift Green Trotters is simply outstanding.

“The Trotters is a club with a big heart and the London Marathon is a shining example of how it steps up to help its community.”

T-B: Thrift Green Trotters presenting Anne Brown with their latest donation. Patients and staff at the All Seasons Gardening group.

“Our passionate support for Saint Francis Hospice is simple - so many people have had first-hand experience of the Hospice and its services."

“The project allows patients to either learn a new skill or maintain one that they thought they couldn’t manage anymore.”

Occupational therapists at our Hospice have begun a new project for patients, called All Seasons Gardening.

The group will run every Monday for six weeks, and includes gardening, meditation, walks around the grounds and gardening-themed craft activities. Lynda Anderson, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Hospice said: “The project allows patients to either learn a new skill or

maintain one that they thought they couldn’t manage anymore.”

“By adapting it slightly, bringing gardening indoors and using lighter equipment, we can cater for everyone and make it more manageable.”

If the project is successful it will re-run four times a year, and will blossom from there!

Ready, set, grow!

NEWS | ON THE COVER


Sport isn’t just a game, it teaches people valuable life skills and this year Barking Rugby Club is raising the bar for its local Hospice.

Charity of the YearThe club nominated the Hospice as its Charity of the Year and plans to organise a variety of events to raise funds and awareness of its specialist care and support services which are provided to people living in Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, Havering and Brentwood.

“We are happy to do anything we can for the Hospice,” said Club Secretary, Neil Kersey, whose wife Josie is a nurse on the inpatient unit.

“There are so many people in the borough who have been helped by the Hospice and they only have great things to say about the charity.

“My father-in-law was cared for by the Hospice so my family has also experienced the great care and support it provides.”

The club will hold two charity matches which have yet to be announced, along with a variety of other events.

Working with the community isn’t something new to the club, which set up a coaching programme seven years ago to help disadvantaged young people by educating them to get fitter and eat healthier through sport.

Helping with literacyCoaches also give up their time to go into schools across Barking and support children who are struggling with literacy.

Michelle Gower, Community Partnerships Manager at the Hospice, said, “We are absolutely delighted Barking Rugby Club has chosen the Hospice as its Charity of the Year!

“When people affected by life-limiting illness are referred tothe Hospice, they are not charged.

“But it costs £21,000 a day to provide our specialist care and support services and it is only thanks to the generosity and compassion of our incredible supporters that we are able to be there for patients and their families when they need us the most.”

Barking Rugby Club is on the ball!

Volunteer thanksWe hosted three special evenings in June to formally thank our wonderful volunteers for their incredible contribution to Hospice care.

We currently have around 700 volunteers who give up their time and use their skills and experience to support every area of the Hospice.

This amounts to 260,000 hours a year and an extra £2million in added service value to the Hospice!

During the evenings, which were held at The Pepperell Education Centre, volunteers had the chance to chat and mingle with fellow volunteers from different areas of the organisation while staff served up a delicious buffet and drinks.

Members of the senior management team, including CEO Pam Court, spoke about the latest developments at the Hospice.

Bob Weatherstone, Chairman of Trustees, and fellow Trustees, also expressed their heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for their dedication and commitment to the charity before presenting volunteers who had achieved significant milestones with Long Service Awards.

This year, the events were made even more special as our Patron, Sir Trevor Brooking and the new Mayor of Havering, Dilip Patel came along to chat with staff and volunteers.

They also handed out raffle prizes and took time to pose for pictures with delighted volunteers. L-R: Barking Rugby Club pictured with nurses from our inpatient unit

“There are so many people in the borough who have been helped by the Hospice and they only have great things to say about the charity."

NEWS | STAMPING FOR FUNDS


Selling stamps and the signatures of the world’s most famous names has enabled lifelong philatelist Alan Crouch to raise £32,000 for Hospice care.

Alan started collecting stamps when he was just nine-years-old but he turned his hobby into a successful fundraising initiative for Saint Francis Hospice after it cared for his wife Daphne before she died in 1989.

“I have always been a stamp collector so I started getting people to collect stamps which I could then sell to raise money for the Hospice,” said Alan, who lived in Upminster for many years before later remarrying and moving to Surrey.

“I have made many appeals to banks, embassies, publishers and businesses and it has even led to many hectic day trips to Gibraltar and Jersey where I established good contacts.

“And my best customers have been in America as they seem to like the connection with the UK.”

For many years Alan’s efforts raised £2,000 - £3,000 a year for the Hospice, but with the increasing use of the internet and the consequent decline in the use of stamps, it dropped to less than £1,000.

Boosting fundraisingHe then came up with a new way to boost his fundraising - obtaining the signatures of some very high-profile celebrities and politicians ranging from Hollywood A-listers and sporting stars to British Prime Ministers and US Presidents!

These include: Prince Charles, the last seven British Prime Ministers, four US presidents, including Donald Trump, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Michael Caine, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Dame Vera Lynn, Al Pacino, Sir David Attenborough, Sir Edmund Hillary, the 1966 World Cup football team, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Desmond Tutu!

“It’s certainly not straightforward getting signatures from these high-profile people but I’m quite tenacious,” said Alan, now 74.

Collecting stamps has raised £32,000

L-R: Maureen Ballard, Fundraising Assistant with Alan Crouch.

“Most know about the fantastic work that hospices do, so I pull at their heartstrings in a very polite way.

“Sometimes it is the chase that intrigues me and it is a great feeling when an envelope from a famous person comes through the letterbox.”

No stopping AlanAnd after almost 30 years of supporting the Hospice, Alan has no plans to stop.

“I always say you get as much pleasure out of giving as receiving,” he added.

“It keeps me busy and it is so interesting connecting with people all over the place, and I know other people are happy with the result of what I do.”

If anyone has any stamps they would like to donate, please send them to Maureen Ballard, in the fundraising team at the Hospice.

“Sometimes it is the chase that intrigues me and it is a great feeling when an envelope from a famous person comes through the letterbox."

FEATURE | SALES AND CELEBRATIONS


Well, if you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then visit our furniture stores today and we’ll bring out the interior designer in you!

High quality, low pricesWhat makes charity retail so exciting and special is not just the fact you will pick up high quality furniture you won’t find on the high streets at such low prices.

By supporting our retail efforts, which includes our house clearance service, our customers have helped us make a profit of £702,000 over the last 12 months so we can fund our specialist care and support services in the community.

Here we're showcasing some of the beautiful furniture currently on sale at our Hornchurch and Brentwood furniture stores.

Give your home the wow factor!

“Whether you donate, buy or give that special gift of time, you are really helping an outstanding cause!”

T-B: Dark oak TV cabinet (£70). Oak veneer round table and four leather chairs (£195). Grey velour three seater sofa (£120).

Volunteering “We are always looking for people to volunteer in our stores,” said Michelle Nicholls, Director of Retail. "If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can have a ‘taster day’ to see if it is right for them or go out and about in the van meeting our supporters and delivering and collecting furniture and donations.

“So, whether you donate, buy or give that special gift of time, you are really helping an outstanding cause!”

To find out more call the retail team on 01708 376269 or email [email protected]

This year we are celebrating the 70th birthday of two of our loyal Patrons, Sir Trevor Brooking and Barry Hearn.

Between them they have supported the Hospice for over 22 years, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds and have both made invaluable contributions that will remain with the Hospice forever.

Sporting legend Barry Hearn, from Brentwood, turned 70 on the 19th June. Barry has sponsored our golf days and contributed over £700,000 for patient care, with the help of his company Matchroom Sport.

To thank him for his years of patronage we turned our Meet and Greet room into the Barry Hearn meeting room.

Hammers hero Sir Trevor Brooking, and his wife Hilkka, began supporting the Hospice by attending our golf days 10 years ago. Since then they have sponsored events, met patients, signed autographs and re-opened our day services at Pemberton Place.

They became Patrons last year and have been keen to help promote the Hospice however they can. Sir Trevor will celebrate his 70th birthday on the 2nd October.

Hospice heroes Sir Trevor Brooking and Barry Hearn turn 70

Is your living room crying out for an upgrade? Is your sofa looking a little bit tired? Are you struggling for storage space?

Frankie's Market a big successOur supporters helped us make over £2,400 at Frankie’s Market on 16th June. Over 700 people hunted through the best of all our charity shops under one roof. The majority of stock had been donated from our House Clearance Service, with a range of vintage and retro items to choose from! Items to donate? Visit www.sfh.org.uk/retail.

FEATURE | BARBARA CLAYDON


“Saint Francis Hospice keeps me smiling.”It's 71-year-old Barbara Claydon’s third visit to the Hospice, but thanks to our wonderful nurses she is leaving with a smile on her face.

Overwhelmed with support Barbara has been admitted to the Hospice three times due to her cellulitis becoming infected.

She also suffers from kidney failure and cirrhosis of her liver, but she has been overwhelmed by the Hospice’s support through these difficult times.

“Everybody here makes me feel so welcome; they pay you so much attention and really get to know you” said Barbara, from Romford.

“Even though it’s not a nice job that they do, they are always smiling and will have a laugh with you.

"All the nurses deserve a medal for the work they do here.” she continued.

Barbara’s youngest daughter Sharon Flindall, 47, works as a healthcare assistant at the Hospice’s day services at Pemberton Place.

Barbara spent 35 years as a midwifery assistant, which she loved. She even delivered some famous newborns during her time.

Highs and lowsAmong the many highs there were inevitable lows, so Barbara can appreciate just how hard it is working in this kind of environment.

“Life is all about the highs and lows; you just have to keep on going round that bend,” laughed Barbara.

“When you mention the word 'hospice', people think you’re going to go in and never return home again.

"I’m a living example that this is not the case; people need to learn that hospices aren’t just about dying.

“When you mention the word hospice, people think you’re going to go in and never return home again. I’m a living example that this is not the case."

“Everybody here makes me feel so welcome; they pay you so much attention and really get to know you.”

"I know I can’t be cured, but I am thankful that I am getting more time with my family and a better quality of life.”

During her time here Barbara attended the Art Therapy group at Pemberton Place, where she could draw, colour and focus her attention on something other than her illness.

Relaxation Barbara also enjoys having her feet massaged by our Complementary Therapists, who provide a range of other services such as aromatherapy, reflexology, and Reiki.

L-R: Barbara Claydon enjoying relaxation time on our inpatient unit. Our complementary team who provide a range of services for patients and carers.

FEATURE | MAKING A DIFFERENCE


a visit to hospital, turned out to also be kidney cancer.

Once back in the UK and during an MRI scan prior to scheduled surgery, they found a brain tumour in Bernard’s right frontal lobe.

Following successful surgery and a course of radiotherapy, Bernard regained his health through tennis which helped to fight the fatigue caused by his treatment.

DeterminationDetermined to now live his life to the fullest, Bernard and Jacqui visited their children in Australia but while he was there, he temporarily lost the ability to use his left side. Scans confirmed the tumour had returned and within two days, Bernard was operated on by one of the top neurosurgeons in Australia, removing 97% of the tumour.

Back in the UK, and during his chemo treatment, Mary gave Bernard tremendous support, as well as practical advice for both him and Jacqui. They have both attended our

Tea and Talk at Toby’s session at the Brentwood Toby Carvery, both finding it incredibly useful in different ways.

Bernard believes it’s extremely important to stay positive at all times - he believes self-pity is no cure. By sharing his experience and thoughts in a group situation he has found the cancer easier to deal with, and hopes he can encourage others to be optimistic like him.

Tea and Talk at Toby’s is a Cancer Support Group, currently running in Brentwood. Providing guidance, a safe haven and a place to meet others in similar situations, we invite all those in the community affected by cancer to join the support group.

The group meet on the first Monday of every month, between 10am-12noon at the Toby Carvery on Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8DZ. For more information please call 07552 503487 or email [email protected].

Bernard's taken us into his heart

Every single donation is important to us at Saint Francis Hospice. One man who is hoping he can make a big difference is 62-year-old Bernard Silverstone, who has been fighting numerous types of cancer over the last two years.

Thanks to a chance encounter with one of our clinical nurse specialists at the hospice, Mary O’Sullivan, during a chemotherapy session at the University College London Hospitals (UCLH), Bernard has taken the Hospice into his heart.

Bernard worked in a senior position at Ford Motor Company for 37 years before, along with his wife Jacqui, they moved to Detroit for his work. In August 2016, Bernard announced his retirement and intention to move back to the UK, but sadly his departure wasn’t the only news Bernard had to share that day.

Whilst at work he received a call explaining that his biopsy results showed he had prostate cancer. Bernard and Jacqui were due to move back to England within a couple of weeks but during this time, Bernard suffered from symptoms that, following

FEATURE | IN MEMORY


Family and friends held their fourth charity football match in memory of West Ham fan, Dave Maynard.

The 57-year-old lorry driver spent less than 24 hours in the Hospice’s care before losing his life to lung cancer.

Amazing supportBut his family say the Hospice made an invaluable impact in his final hours, inspiring them to fundraise on behalf of the charity through different events.

So far the family have raised an amazing £22,598.26 for the Hospice.

“We have run this charity day now for the past four years and intend to continue with our annual fundraising event in memory of my late dad.

"He sadly passed away from lung cancer at the Hospice after being

transferred from Queen's Hospital,” said his daughter Charlotte, 29, from Rainham, who led a team of family and friends at our 2016 Star Walk.

“Although he was only there for a short amount of time, we cannot thank the staff enough for the support Dad received in those last hours of his life and the support our family have received ever since that day.”

Scoring for charityThe family’s charity football match which took place on 6th May scored an incredible £4,051.47 for the Hospice.

Charlotte’s brother Billy and mother Sue received bereavement support from the Hospice, to help them come to terms with his death.

The ongoing support the family received has encouraged them to support the work of the Hospice

“Although he was only there for a short amount of time, we cannot thank the staff enough for the support Dad received in those last hours of his life."

Annual charity day in memory of Dave Maynard

wherever possible.The family are proactive fundraisers for the Hospice, and have supported us for the last few years.

Page 8: Bernard Silverstone at Tea and Talk at Toby's with our OrangeLine team. Above: He shoots, they score! Friends and family come together to take part in the charity football match.

If you would like to raise vital funds for our Hospice, but are not sure what to do, please visit www.sfh.org.uk/ways-to-fundraise for fundraising ideas and tips.

FEATURE | A GREAT PARTNERSHIP


Mayor of Redbridge makes a huge difference

L-R: Linda Huggett with nurses from our Hospice at Home team.

60 seconds with.. Brian Whitaker, Estates AssistantBrian has worked as the Estates Assistant at the Hospice for 21 years. He spends his days answering emails, checking tickets for maintenance requests and supervising the general maintenance of the Hospice grounds, particularly around the inpatient unit.

“I work here because of the amazing people,” says Brian, who has lived locally in Hornchurch all his life. “I’ve made so many friends here and it is amazing working in a place like this, I do really enjoy it.

“I work in a great team and every day is different. There are so many jobs that we have to do here.”

Before his time at the Hospice, Brian worked in technology at BT in the West End for 25 years. During the evenings and weekends, Brian spends time with his young grandchildren and the rest of his family. He is a keen carpenter, and enjoys doing woodwork at the weekends.

Brian hopes to continue working at the Hospice for a few more years to come!

“It’s an absolute honour to have been able to raise this money, which I know will further develop the Hospice at Home service provision in Redbridge."

We welcomed the former Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Linda Huggett, into the Hospice in July.

Linda raised an incredible amount of money for both our Hospice and Haven House Children's Hospice during her Mayoralty in 2017/18, and presented us with a cheque for £39,000 which will fund Hospice at Home care in Redbridge.

“It’s an absolute honour to have been able to raise this money, which I know will further develop the Hospice at Home service provision in Redbridge, and also raise the profile of the Hospice,” explained Linda, who has also agreed to become a Trustee of Saint Francis Hospice.

She went on to say: “Everyone I have spoken to in the borough who has had some kind of interaction with the Hospice has nothing but praise for the care and attention they have received.”

A great partnershipAnne Brown, Head of Major Gifts for the Hospice, worked closely with Linda during the partnership. Anne said: “Our relationship has been

outstanding, with a huge amount of work put in by the Mayor herself, together with her Appeal Committee, many of whom are ex-mayors and current/former councillors.

“The variety of events has been impressive, and working alongside Haven House as the other benefiting charity, has strengthened our relationship with them as an organisation as well.”

Funds were raised through a number of events over the 12 month period including afternoon tea at Valentine’s Mansion, a quiz night at Woodford Bowling Club, a children’s Halloween party, the New Year’s Day parade in London and Redbridge’s Got Talent.

A new TrusteeCurrent Chairman for our Hospice, Bob Weatherstone, said: “I am delighted that you have agreed to come on board as a Trustee Linda, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to both you and your husband Brian, Anne and the wider Appeal Committee for helping to raise our profile in Redbridge, which I hope will continue to grow.”

FEATURE | CONTINUED SUPPORT


NC Construction became one of our corporate business partners last September and the company has gone to great lengths to support the Hospice ever since.

So far it has raised an amazing £9,340 by running a number of different events and weekly fundraisers - and they still have more in the pipeline.

“Being a Hornchurch-based company means that all our staff know of someone who has benefited from the amazing care that Saint Francis Hospice provides,” said Nick Coulson, Managing Director of NC Construction.

“To be able to support them by organising various fundraising events, not only gives all of us a great deal of satisfaction, it also enables us to give something back to the local community that we represent.”

The construction company got stuck in and raised an incredible £2,500 in January when the team tackled a military assault course.

It also donates all the money raised from its weekly dress down Fridays, and has even provided us with Christmas hampers full of wine, cheese and Christmas puddings.

Smashing targetsOne of the company’s very own surveyors, Danny Stokes, swapped his tools for trainers at the London Marathon in April.

Not only did he meet his £3,000 target when he conquered the iconic race across the capital; he smashed it, raising a grand total of £5,473.

Despite signing up for the marathon as a bit of a joke, Danny quickly became extremely invested and was overwhelmed by the support he received.

“Being a Hornchurch-based company means that all of our staff know of someone who has benefited from the amazing care that Saint Francis Hospice provides."

The corporate partnership reaching new heights

L-R: At the Hospice. Danny Stokes presents our Corporate Partnerships Executive with a cheque. Ready for the challenge. Danny Stoke pictured at NC Construction ahead of the London Marathon.

Do you have your own business? Are you interested in becoming a corporate supporter? To find out more about becoming involved with the Hospice, email our Corporate Partnerships Manager, [email protected]

At one of our Business Alliance meetings, Patron Barry Hearn spoke about the increasing demand for our services and how our inpatient unit was in need of £6,500 for specialist beds and mattresses.

Members of our Business Alliance, including NC Construction, willingly donated £500 each to help reach the total needed.

Corporate Partnerships Executive at the Hospice, Adam Gordon, said: “We're very grateful for the continued support NC Construction has given us over the past year. As well as raising an amazing amount of money for the Hospice, the staff also give up a lot of time. In February two volunteers spent the day helping in our garden, clearing gutters and putting fences in place. We hope to continue our successful partnership for many years to come.”

Golf day The team at NC Construction is in the process of organising a golf day for September, which we are certain will be a hole in one!

FEATURE | LEGACY GIFTS


L-R: Christopher Morley enjoying his summer holiday. Our patron Richard Madeley with Mr and Mrs Morley in Pemberton Place.

Did you know that one in five of the local people we care for are currently funded by gifts in Wills?

Legacies are enormously important in helping to fund the Hospice, currently providing up to a third of the £7.8 million needed from donations each year.

One supporter who was moved to help the Hospice in this way was Christopher Morley, who lived locally in Harold Hill and visited Pemberton Place to receive advice, support and clinical care for his Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Time spent at the Hospice with others not only helped Christopher with his health issues but also with his social health and wellbeing, a holistic approach which is essential in providing care for those with life-limiting illnesses.

Whilst receiving care, Christopher spoke about getting his affairs in

order and mentioned to his family that he wished to support the Hospice through leaving a gift in his Will.

Honouring Christopher's wishesUnfortunately, he did not get round to making a Will before he died in November 2016, but his family were proudly able to honour his wishes by making a £20,000 legacy gift from his estate.

On a recent visit to the Hospice, our Patron Richard Madeley met with Christopher’s brother and sister-in-law and they shared their family’s experience of Hospice care with him:

“Christopher was normally a quiet person but coming to the Hospice really gave him the freedom to talk and share his stories with others, which he had not previously had the opportunity to do, and this was so important to him.”

Christopher’s valuable and heartfelt legacy came to the Hospice after

Support us with a gift in your Will and help to make a difference

“Christopher was normally a quiet person but coming to the Hospice really gave him the freedom to talk and share his stories with others, which he had not previously had the opportunity to do, and this was so important to him”

ensuring his loved ones had been provided for.

Leaving a LegacyWe understand that providing for family and friends will always come first but supporting us with a gift in this way, no matter how big or small makes a real difference to our work.

To see more of the interview with Richard Madeley and Mr and Mrs Morley, or to find out more information on how to leave a gift in your Will to the Hospice, please visit our legacy webpage www.sfh.org.uk/legacies or contact Susan Spencer on 01708 771403 or email [email protected]

NEWS | FAMILY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

www.sfh.org.uk Autumn 2018 | LIVING WITH DIGNITY | 13

Fitness instructor Vicki Browne was a star to everyone who knew her and she shone most brightly when she was leading her high-energy gym classes.

Before Vicki, 47, sadly lost her battle with a brain tumour in May, she told her colleagues at the three gyms where she worked, that she didn’t want a public funeral.

Instead, she asked them to fundraise for the Hospice, the charity which cared for her, and supported her husband Colin and their young son Sonny.

The following month, staff at Stock Brook Country Club in Stock, Everyone Active in Hornchurch and David Lloyd in Chigwell, fulfilled her wish and raised more than £3,000 when they each held an emotionally charged event to celebrate her life.

There was also lots of laughter as staff and members, many of whom became close friends with Vicki, remembered the funny, kind and courageous woman who loved life.

Fitness tribute to gym instructor raises more than £3,000 for Hospice

Together in memory And while Vicki may have been a fitness pro, she always had time for a chat over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, so after all the work outs to her favourite tracks, everyone came together to enjoy a sweet treat in her memory! “It was an amazing day and I know this is exactly what Vicki wanted,” said Natalie Diss, an instructor at Stock Brook Country Club.

“She was an inspiration to us all. “Even when she was really ill, she would still come to her pump class and she was still teaching up until a few months before she passed away.”

In April Vicki was referred to our Specialist Community and Crisis Support Services and she was visited by one of our Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Vicki also wanted to spend her final days at home with her family by her side and she was able to do so with the support of our Hospice at Home team.

Everyone Active held the second event - a Dawn till Dusk Bike Ride - and staff and members collectively cycled 591km.

Helen Cornhill took the first class at sunrise on the summer solstice – which was full at 4.43am.

And Catherine O’Brien-Passfield, who had been friends with Vicki for 18 years, said, “Vicki didn’t want a public funeral as she felt her husband and son had been through enough over the last six years.

“We organised this event together. She wanted to ask people to ride a bike, have coffee and cake, and raise money for charity.

“There were people in the classes who had known Vicki since she was a member 18 years ago and some came to classes in the morning and returned again in the evening.”

Spinning for charity Claire Bloom organised a two-hour spinathon at David Lloyd and was overwhelmed by the generosity of the members who came along to support the gym’s efforts.

“Vicki would have loved it,” said Claire.

“We played her favourite tracks, wore coloured leggings and had vests made with a diamonte V down the middle.

Instructors and members at Stock Brook Country Club Inset: Vicki Browne.

“It was an amazing day and I know this is exactly what Vicki wanted,”

“This was very much about celebrating Vicki’s life.

“I don’t think she ever really appreciated how much people loved her, and it is so wonderful to see so many people come out and do this in her honour.”

EVENTS | UP AND COMING


Our calendar of events has something to suit all tastes and

hobbies, and they all raise money to fund the work we do. Visit our

website for the full listings and for the latest information on all our events at www.sfh.org.uk/

fundraising-events

DEC

Christmas MarketStock up on some festive gifts and goodies this December - there'll be something for all the family! Search through crafts, jewellery, Hospice merchandise, clothes, children's toys, and loads more to get your Christmas shopping list started. For a small fee, we will provide refreshments and wrapping paper to help make your seasonal present buying smooth sailing.

DEC

SantathonSpread the festive cheer this December and join the hundreds of Santas dashing through the streets of Dagenham! Get suited and booted in your red and whites to run the 5k route, which will start and finish at Dagenham and Redbridge football club. As long as the weather doesn't plot against us again, come and join us. Ready set... ho, ho, ho!

OCT

Ladies LunchDig into a delightful three-course luncheon with a fabulous drinks reception at the spectacular Hylands House this October. Our guest for the occasion is hilarious political affairs writer and broadcaster, Julia Hartley-Brewer. It’s sure to be an interesting session with stories from the star, revealing what really goes on in the corridors of power.

NOV

Black and White Ball Our glamorous Black and White ball is back for a second year. Set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens, you can enjoy a fine dining experience with live performances, a DJ and fabulous food. Last year’s event at Orsett Hall was a huge success, raising over £20,000! Grab your best dress and dance the night away, but if dancing isn’t your thing, why not get bidding in our auction instead?

OCT

Abridge Golf Day with Barry Hearn If golf is your cup of tee, then this event is sure to putt a smile on your face. Join our loyal Patron Barry Hearn and enjoy 18 holes of golf, a breakfast roll on arrival, a golfer’s hospitality bag, refreshments, a two-course evening meal plus an evening presentation. You can enjoy all of this for just £90. It's set to be the perfect day out. So why not come and join the par-tee!

Mission MudYour mission, if you choose to accept it, is to get muddy and go orange! Join us at the Nuclear Races in Brentwood for our new challenge, where you are certain to make lots of muddy memories. This Mission is a 5K course over farmland, woodland, lakes and bogs taking on a number of challenges such as the Zip Wire and Slide of Death.

OCT

Royal Parks Half Marathon This October, pull on your trainers and lycra to tackle the 13.1 mile run across the beautiful royal parks of central London. Race through four of our capital’s stunning greens including Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’ Park, all while raising money for our services! Remember- it’s your running that keeps us running!

MAR

Star WalkThis year Star Walk is celebrating its 10th birthday and you are all invited! On this special occasion we are encouraging men to come along and support the women as they sparkle through the streets. Grab your glamorous girls and dance through Romford in your trainers and sparkling tiaras, all while supporting your local Hospice.

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SPOTLIGHT ON INCOME


SantathonOver 300 Santas came out to support the Hospice at our rescheduled Santathon, just a week before Easter. Passers-by laughed and cheered as the santas ran the 5k route round Dagenham, raising an incredible £19,043. England and West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking was also at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club to chat and have his photo taken with supporters. This year the Santathon is back to its usual time and is scheduled for Sunday 9th December. It’s certainly not an event to miss, so for more details, make sure you visit our website.

London MarathonThis year’s London Marathon was officially the hottest on record, but that didn’t stop our amazing runners from enduring the 26.2 mile stretch and raising a staggering £71,439.57. Thirty runners, ranging from beginners to elite, took on the gruelling challenge across the capital, raising money for our specialist end of life care and support services.

To register your interest in one of our exclusive Gold Bond places in next year’s Virgin Money London Marathon and be part of #TeamSFH, please contact our Events Team on 01708 771427.

Brentwood Half MarathonAfter temperatures dropped below zero, organisers were forced to cancel the Brentwood Half Marathon for the first time in 37 years. Despite this decision, three of our determined runners braved the snow and bitter winds to run the route around Brentwood, even going above and beyond to exceed the 13.1 mile route.

Even with the event cancelled due to icy weather conditions members of #TeamSFH generously donated the money they had raised, totalling an incredible £19,201.11. Amazing stuff!

Aspen InsuranceOur corporate partners are not afraid to get their hands dirty, that’s for sure! A group of superstars from Aspen Insurance completed the Tough Mudder Challenge and raised over £2,000 for our end of life care, which they will match fund.

The team dealt with extreme heat to tackle the 10-mile run, and there were over 20 obstacles!

The YJS TrustThe Yvonne Jean Stewart Trust (YJS) kindly donated £50,000 to the Hospice to help fund our Specialist Community and Crisis Support Services, including the role of one of our Community Nurse Specialists, Katy Chelchowska, for a second year.

The family trust has been supporting the Hospice since 2016. Last year the Trust hosted a fundraising ball where it raised £40,000 but it chose to increase the donation to an amazing £100,000 to fund two of our Clinical Nurse Specialist posts.

In 2016, which was a leap year, the Trust generously presented us with

£21,000 to cover the cost of care for the extra day. We are so grateful for YJS's continued support and the £173,000 it has donated so far.

Small but sweetEvery single donation helps us to provide local people affected by life-limiting illnesses with the support they need. Two young superstars, Maisie McMillan, aged 9, and Charlie McMillan, aged 6, raised £55 through their driveway bake sale. £55 is enough to fund one hour of care by our Hospice at Home team. This shows how every amount can make a huge difference!

The two siblings from Brentwood baked 70 cakes with various flavours, made a fruit punch, and created their own signs and bunting. They came up with the idea themselves after visiting their grandad John at the Hospice in June. Amazing work guys- thank you both!

Keep the kids busy while having lots of fun and helping a great cause! Set up your own bake sale, do a sponsored skip, hold a day of fancy dress…the list is endless! Find out more on our website - visit www.sfh.org.uk/ways-to-fundraise

SPOTLIGHT ON INCOME GENERATION A snippet of the fundraising you've been doing over the last six months

Step 6: Payment I enclose a cheque for £_____ Please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Maestro with the amount specified.

Name (as it appears on card):

Address: (if different to step 5)

Card number:

Start date: Expiry date: Issue number:

Signature: Date:

Step 2: Book of RemembranceI would like my loved one's name included in the Light up a Life 2018 Book of Remembrance. Yes No

If yes, please write their name in capitals as you would like it to appear. Please note: your loved one's name MUST be submitted by 9th November 2018.

Step 3: Dedication card (maximum 15 words)

I would like to receive a dedication card to display at home. Yes No

Loved one's name and short message:

Step 1: Dedicate a starLoved one's name and short message:(We will write this on a star and display it in our gardens)

Step 5: Your detailsMr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (please circle)

First name: Surname:

Address:

Postcode: Telephone:

Email:

Please complete the form below and return it to us in the freepost envelope provided.

Your donations will be spent carefully on the dedicated and expert care we provide and will benefit our patients and their families.

£23.75 £30 £40 £54 £other

Boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donate.Gift Aid is reclaimed by Saint Francis Hospice, from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your title, name and full address is needed to identify you as a current tax payer. Please treat as Gift Aid donations all qualifying gifts of money made today, in the past 4 years and in the future. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. It is your responsibility to notify Saint Francis Hospice if your tax circumstances change. In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick the box: I want to Gift Aid my donation and understand that Saint Francis Hospice will reclaim 25p for every £1 that I donate.Signature: Date:

No, I am not a UK Tax payer and/or Capital Gains Tax payer.

Step 4: Light up a Life services St John’s Church, Havering-atte-BowerSunday 2nd December at 3pmNumber of tickets required (200 tickets, 4 max per family)

Saint Francis HospiceSunday 9th December at 4pm. Number of tickets required(Outdoor event - 110 tickets, 4 max per family)

Brentwood CathedralSunday 16th December at 4pm. Number of tickets required (600 tickets, 4 max per family)

Saint Francis Hospice is a local registered charity and believes it is in the best interests of local people to know about the hospice services available to them and associated funding needs. We believe that this is a legitimate interest and a justified basis for communicating with you.Information you provide will only be used for the legitimate interests of Saint Francis Hospice. Your information will not be sold, swapped, shared or leased with anyone. We may contact you, by post, including fundraising communications. We will respect your right to stop these communications at any time by calling 01708 723593 or emailing [email protected]. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website at www.sfh.org.uk/privacy-policy or by request.

Our annual Light up a Life appeal gives you the chance to remember someone special by making a dedication in their memory. Commemorate the lives of the loved ones you miss this Christmas and help support families in need of our expert care.

You can dedicate a personalised memory star, which will be hung in our beautiful gardens surrounded by twinkling tinsel and hundreds of other stars carrying dedications of love. You can request a personalised card with a special message for you to display at home.

If you can, please join us at one of our special Christmas remembrance services for a chance to reflect and celebrate together. We are opening up our grounds here at Saint Francis Hospice for a not to be missed celebration service (please note this will be an outdoor event, so ensure you wear suitable footwear and clothing).

• St John’s Church Sunday 2nd December, 3pm• Saint Francis Hospice Sunday 9th December, 4pm• Brentwood Cathedral Sunday 16th December, 4pm

Light up a Life 2018

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WITH DIGNITY · Welcome to your autumn edition of Living with Dignity magazine Saint Francis...

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