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

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