A WOMAN originally from Otley is embarking on a series of fundraising challenges and events in memory of her dad who was cared for by Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds.
Following on from her fundraising success so far, bringing in over £1,300 to date, Stacy John is determined to continue to raise as much money as possible for Sue Ryder. She will be undertaking ‘Challenge Stacy’ which asks people to suggest challenges for her to do in return for a donation to the healthcare charity.
Stacy said: “I wanted to do something long-term, and to do something a little bit different. Hopefully people will be keen to sponsor me if they’ve come up with the idea themselves!”
Stacy is also in the process of setting up a fundraising group where she is currently living in Nottingham and has more plans for events in Otley, where her dad, David, lived all his life and she is originally from.
Stacy’s dad was admitted to the hospice three times, and she is keen to highlight the fantastic care and support both he and the rest of the family received from the staff team.
“They were fantastic," said Stacy. "He had his 69th birthday in there, they let us have a room, and they decorated it.
“Towards the end, his last week, he couldn’t really eat and the only thing he could manage was an ice pop. Whenever he woke up, within minutes he had one in his hand.
“I’ve worked in care homes and it can be so stressful but at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice it wasn’t. It was relaxed and nothing that you asked for was too much. They weren’t just looking after my dad, they were looking after us as well. That makes a big difference.”
Stacy is keen to explain what originally spurred her on to fundraise: ‘I was blown away by how much it all cost Sue Ryder [to provide the specialist care that her dad received] … it made me realise that I wanted to raise money to help.”
In addition to helping raise vital funds for the charity Stacy has found her fundraising has helped her personally as well: “It has helped me with my grief and gives me something else to focus on. It makes me feel connected to my dad still… there’s something that makes me feel I’m doing something for him.
“It’s also so therapeutic in the sense that I know I’m helping other people in my dad’s situation and their families.”
Michael Tarbatt, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said: “Stacy has already done so much for the hospice and we are delighted that she will be continuing to raise money and awareness of the work we do through her tireless fundraising efforts. The money that Stacy raises will ensure we can continue to provide compassionate palliative care to those who need it.”
For more information about Challenge Stacy, to suggest a challenge and to donate, visit: justgiving.com/page/challengestacy
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