The Ayrshire Hospice has launched its annual Light up a Life appeal where the local
charity invites the Ayrshire community to support their local hospice and remember
loved ones at what can be a very poignant time of year.
This year the hospice has spoken to Jennifer Allan of Ardrossan who has shared her
hospice story as her older sister, Karen was cared for in the hospice in 2016, aged
42 after being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Karen went for treatment
however despite best efforts, the cancer soon spread to her bones and brain. She
attended the hospice day services before being admitted to the hospice In-Patient
Unit when her health deteriorated.
Jennifer Allan said “I can’t thank the hospice enough for all they did for Karen; their
kindness and compassion continues to amaze me every day. I can never repay them
for this, but I try to contribute what I can through fundraising and raising awareness
of the wonderful work that they do. Not only does this help me to say thank you for
all that they do, but it is also my coping mechanism.
“I want to do all that I can to make sure that the hospice continues to be there to help
other families who need their care and support in the future. That’s why we are
supporting their Light up a Life appeal this year and I hope you’ll join us – and
support this wonderful, vital local charity.”
Karen had a great passion for horses particularly her own pet horse, Parker, and in
2016 the Ayrshire Hospice were able to facilitate bringing Parker to see Karen one
last time.
Jennifer continued “It was such a special and emotional day and the hospice were
just out of this world to arrange it. Karen was unable to sit up in the bed but Parker
nuzzled into her, comforting her. Karen died just two days after Parker visited and we
can’t thank Gill, Kirsten and all the staff at the hospice enough for organising it.”
Steve Brown, Hospice Chaplain at the Ayrshire Hospice said “It would be fantastic if
you could consider making a donation to pay for just a little of the nursing care that
our team will be providing to patients during the Christmas holidays. Most people of
course will want to be at home for Christmas if they possibly can – and our Specialist
Community Nursing Team will be working hard in December and throughout the
holidays to help people to stay at home, where possible, with their loved ones. But
some people will be with us over Christmas – and so our nursing team will try to
make the hospice as homely and festive as possible. We know that, for many
families, this will be their last Christmas together – but with your help we can try to
make it an extra special Christmas to remember.”
The Ayrshire Hospice is also hosting a virtual Light up a Life concert on Sunday 29 th
November where they will be joined by a variety of musical treats featuring local
vocalists and musicians pre-recorded and filmed in a safe environment, to offer an
uplifting celebration of local voices and music and an opportunity for people across
Ayrshire to come together virtually.
To make a donation to the hospice Light up a Life appeal or to buy a ticket for the
virtual concert (tickets cost £10 per person or £20 for a family of four) please visit
www.ayrshirehospice.org or call the fundraising team on 01292 288488.
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