Hospice doctor rallies friends and family as community backs Dr Kershaws' Virtual Hospice Walk

When Hospice Doctor, Dr Patricia Campbell, sent messages out to her loved ones to join together from their locations across the country, she never anticipated that so many people she reached out to would support Dr Kershaws' recent event, the ‘Virtual Hospice Walk'.

Dr Campbell said: “We like to take part in charitable activities for Dr Kershaw’s and the ‘Virtual Hospice Walk’ was an ideal opportunity for various members of my family and friends to participate wherever they were, on a day that suited them best.

"I couldn’t wait to sign up and spread the word.

"Friends, family, three dogs and one cat all took part and our group, The Big Hair Don’t Care Gang, completed the walk on a sunny Saturday, dressed in wigs and rainbow tutus.”

Dr Campbell, who provides end-of-life and palliative care for patients in the In-Patient Unit at Dr Kershaw’s, had her own reasons for signing up; to support the Hospice where she now works and where her husband, Terry Dye, was cared for before he sadly passed away in 2015, aged just 45.

She said: “I will never forget the care and compassion provided by the staff at Dr Kershaw’s, towards Terry, myself, my daughters who were six and nine years old at the time, and Terry’s brother and sister.

"Nothing was too much trouble.

"The day before he died we spent time in the conservatory with Terry and had an impromptu movie night in the family room.

"My girls still remember the fun moments despite the overwhelming sadness of the situation.

"Now as a member of the clinical team at Dr Kershaw’s, I often reflect back on my own experience and use that to continue the high level of specialist palliative care that we were once on the receiving end of.”

Dr Campbell and her team of supporters from all over the country, including Oldham, Ely, Stockport, Sheffield, Manchester and Cardiff, raised an incredible £1,600 and are looking forward to the next Hospice event, where they can bring out their colourful wigs again.

Dr Campbell added: “I was so incredibly touched by the number of people and four legged friends who took part in our ‘Virtual Hospice Walk,’ as well as to those who provided sponsorship and donations.

"The final total raised was above and beyond what any of us had imagined!”

Sponsored by Jackson, Jackson and Sons Ltd who were responsible for building the Hospice's new In-Patient Unit, the ‘Virtual Hospice Walk,’ which took place throughout the month of June, brought together 125 Virtual Hospice walkers from across the community and beyond, raising over £8,000, which will support patients at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, when they need it the most.

Watch this space over the coming months for more events that you could take part in to raise funds for Dr Kershaw’s.

To ensure care for patients in the future, the Hospice needs continued support from the community.

To make a donation or to take part in fundraising, call the Hospice’s Fundraising Team on 0161 624 9984 or visit: www.drkh.org.uk

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.