Launching yourself out of a plane at 15,000ft may seem daunting to many, but for one granddaughter, losing both her grandparents gave her the motivation and fearlessness that she needed.
Carys Macaskill, from Plympton, recently took part in a skydive for St Luke’s and it was her grandparents who were at the forefront of her thoughts as she took that leap of faith.
The focus for this year’s Hospice UK Dying Matters Awareness Week (6-12 May) is how we talk about death and dying. Senior palliative care nurse Cathryn Goodchild, lead clinical educator at St Luke’s, asks why people shy away from the “D” words and explains why correct language matters.
Giles Peeters will be swapping runways for an ultra big challenge this weekend in aid of St Luke’s, having already raised a staggering £14,500 so far!
They came, they ran, they did us proud. A record number of runners gave it everything they’ve got for St Luke’s in the Run Plymouth Half marathon, 10k and 5k on Sunday morning, raising more than £40,000 for our specialist care.
“Marian was just a brilliant human being.”
These are the words that David Lane uses to describe his late wife, Marian, a dedicated and inspirational mum, daughter, sister, friend and teacher who sadly died in November.
A young family will be walking in the footsteps of their inspirational grandad to raise much-needed funds for St Luke’s.
Grace Morley’s grandad Owen Masters spent 24 hours at our specialist unit at Turnchapel last October, before he sadly died.
“His stay was only a short one,” she says, “but during those 24 hours our entire family were blown away by the quality of the care he received.”
“I decided to run for all the patients and their families that I have cared for over the years as they often show me the great strength they have.”
St Luke’s Nurse Consultant Jen Nicholls is the head of service for our Community team, providing specialist care for patients in the comfort of their own homes. She will be swapping her St Luke’s nursing uniform for a running vest on Sunday 28 April as she will be taking on Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival in aid of the patients she cares for.
“We are an ordinary family, and it’s not until you find yourselves in uncharted waters that you realise what local charitable organisations are available to provide the help and support when you need it the most.”
Lauren Prentice from Plympton will be running for St Luke’s at Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival on Sunday 28 April in memory of her mum, Carol, who died in 2016 aged 65.
Walking, talking and paying tribute to lost loved ones, big-hearted blokes of all ages strode through the streets of Plymouth on Saturday 6 April, raising funds for the specialist end of life care needed by so many local families.
Run, sprint, jog, however you do it over the coming weeks we will be shining a light on some of the fabulous fundraisers we have running for St Luke’s at Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival on Sunday 28 April.
