Mansfield woman Leigh is supporting Nottinghamshire hospice appeal in memory of her mum

Since the hospice launched its appeal in early April, people have devised innovative ways of raising funds during lockdown and donations have flooded in to help address a £150,000 shortfall caused by shop closures and cancelled events.

The amount raised includes money from the 2.6 challenge – timed to coincide with the date of the cancelled London Marathon – various online fundraising events, individual donations and proceeds from sales of commemorative hand-painted forget-me-not flowers.

One of those supporting the campaign is Leigh Sherwood, of Mansfield, who bought a flower in memory of her mum Pat who received care from the hospice in her final days, enabling her to stay in her own home with family around her.

Pat was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in 2018 and died just six weeks later, aged 85.

After her diagnosis, family members stayed with her day and night, catching what sleep they could on the sofa near their mum’s bed. Nottinghamshire Hospice stepped in with hospice at home care which enabled them to get some much needed rest.

Leigh said: “Mum hadn’t long to live and wanted to be at home so we decided we were going to look after her 24/7.

“We were really grateful for the help from the hospice as it gave us some rest. It helped to know there was someone caring for her who would be awake all night.

“I wanted to put something back, so I bought one of the flowers which I’ve planted in the rockery in my garden.

“I used to have my mum here every Sunday to dinner and she liked to look out of the window at the rockery.

“Blue was my mum’s favourite colour so it’s a lovely memorial.”

Leigh’s family all live in the Mansfield area and her sister has also bought a flower and other family members have supported the appeal too.

Nottinghamshire Hospice anticipates a loss in funding of £150,000 over a three month period, but cumulative losses could reach £450,000 depending on the longer term effects of lockdown.

To support the appeal, click here.