Newent couple's garden party raises £1,000 for Gloucestershire hospice

A big hearted couple from Poolhill near Newent have raised £1,150 for a local charity throwing a summer garden party for friends and family.

Jo, 59 a retired nurse and Mark Robinson, 59, who worked for Lloyds Bank in Barnwood, Gloucester for over 38 years and now works as a consultant, wanted to raise funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in thanks for the care it has given to their family.

The hospice, which is home to the only specialist palliative inpatient unit in the whole of Gloucestershire, provided care and support to Mark's father, who was manager of the hospice for five years before his retirement in 2001. The specialist Sue Ryder team has also been giving support to their nephew, Charlie Bishop.

"We have a real family connection to Sue Ryder," shared Jo. "Our nephew, Charlie, has needed the charity recently and historically Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice cared for Mark's dad too."

"During the pandemic we heard the charity had to close all of its shops and they were struggling with funding. At one point it was very worrying. We wanted to do something to support them as it was scary to think it might not be there when we needed it."

"We originally planned a garden party fundraiser for 2020, but it had to be cancelled due to the lockdown restrictions, so we rescheduled it for July 2021. After one final delay to the lifting of Covid regulations we finally came together on 22^nd August," shared Jo.

"And everyone really did come together," added Mark. "The morning arrived and it absolutely threw it down, and with that friends and neighbours starting pitching up with gazebos so we had some seating in the dry. People helped everywhere - from donating a magnum of Champagne and making a beautiful Sue Ryder themed cake for the raffle to helping with the wonderful catering and selling raffle tickets on the day."

"We had a 'bring and buy' cake stall, booze, cake and cups of tea. In the end sun came out for us all too.

"Over 70 friends and family joined us on the day as Sue Ryder is a cause so close to our hearts. It was a wonderful afternoon and we both want to thank everyone for their generosity and support in making it such a success."

The couple hope the funds will help the hospice continue to be there for local families, like theirs. Jo added, "My nephew, Charlie, has a brain tumour but has outlived every single prognosis given to him. He has been supported by Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, and we really wanted to give something back for this. He attended their day hospice programme and they were brilliant with him. He even met His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on one of his Christmas visits!"

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice also provided care for Mark's father, Graham Robinson.

Mark added, "My father managed Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice for five years until 2001 when retired after working in the NHS.  The hospice was a special place to him and to us as a family – we all went up there and attended fundraising events while he was manager there.

"Dad suffered from bladder cancer and as he became more poorly he received palliative care from Sue Ryder both in the inpatient unit and at home. In fact he was one of the very first patients to benefit from the newly launched Hospice at Home team in 2015."

As a nurse herself, Jo knew how much the family benefited from the charity's care. "When Graham became very poorly he was admitted into the hospice for a while. This was a big help for Mark's mum who had become Graham's main carer and it allowed them to maintain their relationship as husband and wife rather than patient and carer.

"Graham's dearest wish was to die at home, so when we realised things were coming to a head, Graham came home and the hospice at home team stepped in. They helped make that happen. They came out and they went through all his meds, sorted out his syringe driver and they made sure he had the drugs to make sure he was comfortable. Graham passed away peacefully, which was wonderful as this was his last wish."

Mark and Jo are keen to share their experience of the care given by Sue Ryder to help raise awareness that the charity is there for people living in the Forest of Dean.

Mark said, "We don't think there is a strong awareness of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in and around the Forest of Dean. We are really keen to get message out there that Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is there when it matters for everyone in Gloucestershire."

"As a family we were so grateful for Sue Ryder's support, and we're so pleased we have been able to raise vital funds so they can continue to be there for families like ours."