Making midnight memories for mum

10th July 2024

Walking our Midnight Walk in memory of mum

“At what was the most difficult and heartbreaking time of my life, St Luke’s were my guardian angels and I will forever be grateful to them.”

Sam Barker, Headteacher at Leigham Primary School, will be one of the hundreds of pink-clad walkers taking part in our Midnight Walk on Friday.

Sam’s mum Susan Pollard was cared for by St Luke’s after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in 2010. Susan had seen firsthand the care and support St Luke’s delivers as she worked as shop manager at our shop in the Ridgeway, Plympton for many years.

Proud to say she worked for St Luke’s

“She was passionate about supporting a charity which was so close to our hearts after they cared for both her cousin and my grandad many years ago,” describes Sam. “She loved her job and was so proud to say that she worked for St Luke’s.”

At the time of her mum’s diagnosis, Sam had just given birth to her son Lucas. She recounts what her mum said at the time. “She was told that she’d have 7 years but was determined to see him start secondary school. Mum’s positivity and resilience in the face of such an awful illness was inspirational and because of a bone marrow transplant and subsequent treatments, she proudly saw my son Lucas start at Devonport High in 2021. Sadly, we were told in the summer of 2021 that the cancer was not responding to any of the latest treatment and that she didn’t have long left.

St Luke’s were my guardian angels

“Irene, one of St Luke’s community nurses was an angel to us and enabled Mum to stay at home in her final months. While I cared for my mum, I was devastated to find out that Dad (who lived in France) was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. I couldn’t leave Mum alone to get to him in France. Irene was an incredible support to both Mum and me and the St Luke’s team worked with us to keep Mum comfortable at home until the inevitable time came. I lost my beloved Mum on 22 December 2021 and my lovely Dad passed away in France, four days after her funeral.

“At what was the most difficult and heartbreaking time of my life, St Luke’s were my guardian angels and I will forever be grateful to them.”

Compassionate Friends

Going through grief herself prompted Sam to ensure that appropriate support was in place for any pupils at her school going through something similar.

At Leigham Primary School they have now trained many of the staff to be a Compassionate Friend, who are able to support children who are bereaved or are going through anticipatory grief. Sam adds: “I know that our Starfish Club and the support from trained staff to families has made a real difference. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about.”

Like many others Sam will be giving her passion a purpose on Friday, setting an example to her pupils and celebrating memories of her mum as she takes part in our Midnight Walk.

Tickets for our Midnight Walk, sponsored by Michael Spiers are now sold out. If you are already registered make sure to set up your JustGiving page and see what a difference you can make.

Set up your JustGiving page St Luke’s Midnight Walk Sponsor Sam St Luke’s Compassionate Communities

Related articles

Helping schools talk about death and loss
, ,

BLOG: Hospice’s pioneering programme helps schools talk about death

Schools in East Cornwall are opening up brave conversations about death, dying, loss and bereavement with children, teachers and families with the aid of a transformative community education programme created by St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.
Aimee and Dan
, ,

BLOG: A date night to remember for Aimee and Dan at St Luke’s

After being admitted to St Luke’s specialist unit to manage the complex symptoms of her stage four cancer, Aimee Sumner was really missing date nights with her husband, Dan. So when she asked if it was possible to set up something at the hospice, the team pulled out all the stops to create a memorable soiree for the couple.
, ,

BLOG: Pedalling for St Luke’s: Tugboats and Dolphins take on a 1,200 mile challenge

When three friends from Plymouth set off from Dover today, they’ll be carrying far more than their bikes and kit. They’ll be kicking off one of many challenges in their year long mission to raise £15,000 to help St Luke’s care for families across our community.
, ,

BLOG: Tender care at home eases singing star Jean’s farewell

Glamorous singing star, TV character actress, inspirational and loving mother, vivacious and supportive grandmother and great grandmother, Jean Dike lived her extraordinarily full life with dignity, elegance and grace until the very end. One of Plymouth’s best-loved entertainers and matriarch of a large, unconventional, artistic family, she embraced several identities during her lifetime.
, ,

BLOG: Going the extra mile for Albion’s ‘Queen’ Anne: Sam’s tribute at Men’s Day Out

One man is going the extra mile – literally – at our Men’s Day Out next week, to honour Plymouth Albion’s beloved ‘Queen’ – Anne Prue. Sam Lever, from Plymouth, is the Vice-chairman and interim secretary for Plymouth Albion 200club. On Saturday 14 March he will be walking our Men’s Day Out for the second year running in memory of Anne, who was an avid supporter of St Luke’s and secretary of the 200club.
, ,

BLOG: By Royal invitation…How we flew the flag for St Luke’s at the King’s reception for carers

As His Majesty reached out to grasp my hand, the significance of the momentous occasion suddenly hit me. There, in the historic hallows of St George’s Hall, as the sun set behind Windsor Castle, not only was I meeting King Charles face-to-face, but I was bestowed with a right royal opportunity to sing St Luke’s praises to the gothic-beamed rafters in the most illustrious company possible...
, ,

BLOG: Josie’s journey: a legacy of love and awareness

Sometimes, life is not as long as we expect, or hope it will be. Receiving a terminal diagnosis can feel shattering on every level. Yet with tenderness, the utmost sensitivity - and kindness that never wavers - the right care and support can bring peace to an anxious mind and soothe a frightened heart. At Turnchapel, where talented artist Josie is a patient, she is surrounded by those who matter most to her: husband Laith – her ‘rock’ - and their two bright, beautiful girls, Becca, aged 10, and Sophie, 6...
, ,

BLOG: Supporting our people to learn, grow and thrive: National Apprenticeship Week 2026

This Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating the people at St Luke’s who are growing their skills, building their confidence and taking the next step in their careers - all while continuing to make a difference every day. We now have nine members of staff undertaking apprenticeships across the organisation - from our clinical and care teams to retail, admin, finance, IT and HR. This week we wanted to shine a light on the nurses who have been leading the way for career development.
, ,

BLOG: Lighting the way: businesses back city’s summer art trail and auction in aid of local hospice care

Plymouth’s business community is charting a course for hope, coming together to support St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s Guiding Lights, a major public art trail and auction set to illuminate the city this summer. Recently, representatives from local businesses and other organisations gathered at the National Marine Aquarium to select their favourite lighthouse designs from over 90 submitted by talented artists from Plymouth and further afield. Together, they cast their votes for the designs they most want to see the artists bring to life as full-scale sculptures. Their choices will help shape a trail of striking lighthouses that will shine across Plymouth and beyond this summer, attracting visitors, boosting the local economy, and symbolising the comfort, guidance and compassion for which St Luke’s is renowned.
PreviousNext

Our Care

Support us

Courses

Information

BLOG: Making a loving mum’s last wish come trueBLOG: Midnight walkers make a splash for hospice care