'Brilliant' in‑memory event brings loved ones together
THE family and friends of a man who sadly lost his life after a brief battle with lung cancer came together to celebrate his memory at their annual club night held in his memory.
Two of Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s long-standing supporters, Pauline Hirst and Vanessa Lockwood held their 13th annual fundraiser event, raising £1,220.
The friends have now raised £17,400 since 2014 to support Rotherham Hospital’s Purple Butterfly end-of-life rooms.
Friends Pauline and Vanessa, from Rotherham, organise the annual event to celebrate the life of Pauline’s late husband, Neil who passed away in 2014, aged just 56 at Rotherham Hospital.
During his final days, the family were given the privacy and comfort of one of the hospital’s charity-funded Purple Butterfly end of life rooms – a quiet, protected space where they could hold on to precious moments together.
Vanessa, of Treeton, said: “We absolutely love fundraising for the charity because it helps to keep Neil’s memory alive.
“Our club night was brilliant once again and it was wonderful to see the club packed with our family, friends and everyone from the village.
“Everyone comes together to support our fundraising, whether it’s buying tickets for the event, donating raffle prizes or tickets and playing bingo.
Rachael Dawes, head of charity and engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity said: “This absolutely huge sum of money raised since Neil passed away has made an immeasurable difference, helping to fund renovations, enhancements and the replacement of items in our hospitals four Purple Butterfly end-of-life rooms.
“We cannot thank Pauline and Vanessa enough for their continued support.”