Widow’s vow to help hospice

HEARTFELT thanks . . . Sarah Taylor (left) Pauline Holt, and Sarah’s children Emily and Holly hand over a cheque to Dr Kershaw’s in memory of Kenny

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A WIDOW has praised Dr Kershaw’s staff for organising a beautiful wedding at the hospice just 10 days before her beloved bridegroom died.

Pauline Holt says the hospice ensured that when she married sweetheart Kenny it was a special day of wonderful memories.

Only two months earlier staff had made sure Kenny (62), could celebrate his daughter Sarah Taylor’s 30th birthday.

When he died, Sarah and Pauline, of Grotton, teamed up to raise £2,645 for the hospice to say thank-you for the care and compassion they received.

Pauline said of her wedding day: “It was just so beautiful. Everyone at the hospice helped me through it.”

Sarah added: “We used the family room for the ceremony, they decorated it like a hotel and tied bows around the chairs. Everyone was absolutely fantastic — it was a lovely day.”

The women called on family and friends to help them raise money with a charity fun night at Austerlands Cricket Club. Sarah roped in her work colleagues to raise £330 with a cake sale — a figure matched by her employers.

Pauline explained: “We didn’t leave Dr Kershaw’s until midnight some days, and they made us so comfortable. They were so kind. I know it’s their job, but they go the extra mile.

“I was with Kenny for 14 years and always thought we would get married. We were only married for 10 days. I can’t praise the staff at Dr Kershaw’s enough for those 10 days.”

Pauline and Sarah plan to make the fund-raising night and cake sale annual events to raise money for Dr Kershaw’s after hearing of the large amount it must raise each year to keep going.

Pauline has now volunteered to help at the hospice’s charity shop in Lees.

“The minute I walked into the hospice I felt safe and calm. I want to help out to say thank-you. You don’t say it at the time because you are too upset. We all miss Kenny, he was such a lovely man.”