Harrogate's Saint Michael's Hospice needs our help - how you can make a difference this Leap Year

HarrogateAdvertiserLeapYearAppeal">DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

The much-loved Harrogate charity, which provides specialist care, comfort and support, free of charge, to patients and their families dealing with terminal illness, has an extra day of care to provide this February and needs extra funding in order to do so.

The Harrogate Advertiser is therefore asking people across our district to come together and support this amazing charity by helping to raise money towards providing its vital services on February 29.

The cost of providing that extra day of care is £15,500, and the challenge to raise the funds is already underway.

One woman who lost her husband to prostate cancer last year has opened up about her experiences and said she is eternally grateful to Saint Michael’s Hospice for its support, likening it to a “pair of loving arms wrapping you in a warm embrace”.

Jenny McAleese’s husband Kevin, a former Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, died last March, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2016.

Having seen the support that his first wife received from Saint Michael’s when she was diagnosed with cancer, Kevin was in awe of the amazing work that the hospice does and was determined that was where he wanted to spend his last few days.

Jenny said: “The diagnosis was a total shock - it came completely out of the blue. Kevin was so fit and well, such a strapping and handsome man, we just didn’t think it would happen to him.

DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

“When Kevin lost his first wife, he said Saint Michael’s had been a real asset and that he had found their services really useful to ease the pressure on him.

"As soon as he found out he was ill, he was adamant that the hospice was where he wanted to die.”

But it wasn’t just end of life care that was offered to Kevin, he also had access to an occupational therapist and physiotherapist when his physical difficulties increased and he needed crutches to walk, as well as a stairlift at home.

“From as early as 2017 the hospice was playing a big role in supporting the both of us,” Jenny added.

Kevin was told he would not live to see Christmas 2017, but Jenny said he was determined to prove the doctors wrong and it wasn’t until early last year that he started to really deteriorate.

She said: “It was a Saturday night last February when things just went downhill so very quickly and Kevin urgently needed end-of-life care

“Before that he remained so full of life and so determined to make the most of every minute he had.

“We would go out for dinner whenever we could, just seizing every opportunity to spend time together and make more memories.

“When Kevin was no longer well enough to go out for dinner, we went out for breakfast instead. We didn’t go anywhere fancy or expensive, it was just so important for him to get out and about and continue living is life while ever he could.

“So when he suddenly deteriorated it was a huge shock. I was both physically and emotionally exhausted and that night almost felt like being in a dream. It felt like the ambulance was driving very slowly, but I remember breathing a huge sigh of relief as soon as they carried him out on the stretcher and into the hospice.

“I knew I could relax because we had got him where he needed and wanted to be and where I knew he would get the best possible care.

"I knew there and then that even though it was such a heartbreaking and difficult time, everything would be okay because we had such amazing support and Kevin would be made as comfortable as possible.”

Jenny says she cannot thank Saint Michael’s enough for the care they gave to both her and Kevin, with one precious memory standing out for her in particular.

She added: “One night when he really wasn’t feeling well I asked if I could have a cuddle with him and they arranged him in the bed so that I could. We were left alone and we just laid there, listening to his favourite playlist. It was just such a special moment.

“The atmosphere was incredibly serene. Nothing was too much trouble and they made sure both of our needs were being looked after. They allowed me to concentrate on being Kevin’s wife and not just his carer.”

DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

She is urging people to help the hospice this leap year so that other people can continue to get the incredible support that both her and Kevin were given.

She said: “Saint Michael’s supported us every step of the way on what was a very scary journey.

"We had no control and desperately needed some guidance from the hospice.

“I want other people to have the same loving care as Kevin received. We are so lucky to have this amazing resource in Harrogate but we need to make sure it has the funding to continue.”

How far could your donation go?

- £15,500 - The total cost of Saint Michael’s Hospice operating for an extra day on February 29 due to this being a Leap Year.

- £10 - A donation of just £10 will provide a day of home-cooked meals for one patient.

- £100 - By giving £100, you can help with the cost of putting together a special occasion for a patient and their family such as a blessing.

- £650 - A full day of care for a patient on the Inpatient Unit at Saint Michael’s Hospice costs £650.

DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

Editor of the Harrogate Advertiser, Jean MacQuarrie explains why getting involved is so important:

Saint Michael’s hospice is probably Harrogate’s best loved charity.

There are so many good causes in this town and district, each so worthy of our support. But Saint Michael’s has had such an enduring place in all our hearts for more than 30 years, because it has touched the lives of so many of us.

Giving love, support and care at such a heartbreaking time in our lives, the Saint Michael’s team have often also been able to help shape a time of despair and grief into one of memories, warmth and even hope.

Their work encompasses bereavement counselling, respite care, and day therapy. They are here for all of us in this district, and that’s why they garner such support from our whole community.

I have been a trustee of Saint Michael’s, as well as editor of this newspaper group, for many years.

I had always resisted joining any charity in any formal capacity, because how could I pick and choose when so many are worthy of needing help?

Instead, I have focused the Harrogate Advertiser on helping as many of them as possible, through publicity.

But Saint Michael’s felt different.

It helps absolutely everyone, at the time they need it most. I therefore became a trustee, and learned even more about this fantastic organisation.

In this Leap Year, we are asking you to give a little, if you are able, to fund the Hospice for their extra day in 2020.

Providing one day’s care at the hospice costs £15,500.

Can the Harrogate community pay for that extra day on February 29 this year - as a way of saying thank you to them for all that they do for us, and to show the whole team how much we care about them too?

We understand there are many demands on your finances in this modern age, but anything you can give will go towards ensuring others are being cared for by this wonderful group of people.

DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

How you donation can make a difference:

As this year is a Leap Year, and the cost of providing an extra day of care at Saint Michael’s Hospice is £15,500, we are asking you to support the team with raising these vital funds.

By making a donation and supporting Saint Michael’s, you are ensuring the needs of the communities they care for are met.

Your help will enable the hospice to continue supporting and caring for people who need it most in our district when they are living with a terminal illness or bereavement.

Just £10 provides a day of home-cooked meals for one patient, £50 helps facilitate a children and young person’s bereavement support session, £100 can help with putting together a special occasion for a patient and their family such as a blessing, and £650 ensures a full day of care for a patient on the Inpatient Unit.

Saint Michael’s Chief Executive Tony Collins said: “We’re proud to be launching a Leap Year appeal with the Harrogate Advertiser to help us raise £15,500 to provide an extra day of care.

“The majority of the work we do is funded by people who support us, and by donating to the appeal, you are ensuring the needs of the communities we care for across the Harrogate district are met.”

DONATE TO THE HOSPICE LEAP YEAR APPEAL HERE

How to donate:

There are two main ways in which you can get involved and help:

- You can make a donation by visiting the newly set up Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/HarrogateAdvertiserLeapYearAppeal. - Or call on: 01423 878628.