Carer World - extracts & notes

The dying wish of a Hereford woman               Hereford Journal 11 December 2013

by Karen Evans


The dying wish of a Hereford woman to have a special room for young people to use at St Michael's Hospice, will come true after an appeal which was launched by her family smashed its £100,000 goal.

Following 12 months of dedication, hard work and overwhelming love and support from the local community, the Beth's Wish team revealed the fantastic news at their final event of the year, a medieval banquet at Lyde Court.

Bethan Davies was a fun-loving 20-year-old who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in January 2012. She was admitted to St Michael's Hospice and given around the clock attention, but sadly she died eight months later, on September 28.

The lack of space and resources within the hospice, in Bartestree, made it difficult for St Michael's to provide Beth with the environment she deserved.

Beth's mum, Helen Davies, and sister Gemma decided to fulfil Beth's wish of providing specialised resources for young adults aged 18 to 25 within St Michael's Hospice Redevelopment.

Beth's Wish was launched on November 29 2012, which would have been Beth's 21st birthday.

Inspirational

Since then, Helen and Gemma have organised an inspirational range of fundraising events, including supermarket bag packs, abseiling, male leg wax, a sponsored hike in the Lake District and music events.

Dedicated to the memory of Beth, the new facilities will ensure St Michael's Hospice provides the appropriate environment for 18-25 year olds requiring respite and end of life care. 

The aim of the fundraising was to make St Michael's a place for all young people.

St Michael's Hospice will now be able to ensure its environment is welcoming and accessible - a space where young people can engage in social media, play music, watch films and be surrounded by furnishings, colour, lighting and photographs which reflect their personalities and age group.

Nicky West, St Michael's Hospice CEO, said: "It's been an emotional year for Helen and Gemma. Seeing the tears of joy, sadness and love when Helen announced to supporters that the team had reached their goal was one of the most life-affirming moments I have ever witnessed.

"Everyone at St Michael's is humbled by the love and dedication of the Beth's Wish team - we can't thank them enough for every hard-earned penny of that incredible £100,000.

"Because of Bethan Davies, St Michael's Hospice will be able to give young people love, care and support in therapeutic and appropriate surroundings.


pagetop here    for pasting   The dying wish of a Hereford woman here                                       St Michael's Hospice page here