NHS worker Samara Kemp is stepping up for Saint Francis Hospice this March and has already raised £360 in memory of her beloved mum.
Marion Kemp spent the last four days of her life at the hospice in 2011 and Samara has signed up to the charity’s Step Up campaign and will be walking 12,000 steps every day in March so more families can receive the care and support they did.
“Saint Francis Hospice was where my beautiful mum was cared for during her final days with us,” said Samara.
“I never really understood fully what the hospice actually did for patients and their families but what an incredible place.
“I was shocked when I learned the hospice is only around 30% government funded.
“People think they can just go there if they need it, but I know my mum was one of the lucky ones and people can’t just take for granted that it will be there.
“Step Up is the ideal challenge for me because this is something I can do in my everyday life.
“I am already on my feet all day with my job and my son Keelan, who is 11, wanted to do it was well.
“We’ll be taking our dog Bob for some extra-long walks!”
Samara set up her fundraising page and called on her friends to help her raise £108 to fund two hours of Hospice at Home care but she has already more than tripled her target.
“You just do not realise how valuable hospice care is until you experience it,” said Samara.
“Mum was so negative about the hospice at first and you would not believe how hard it was to get her there, but both she and I changed our tune when we saw what it was really like.
“She was so well cared for, not just by the nurses, but also by the wonderful volunteers who would come around and offer her tea, coffee and an alcoholic drink from the trolley.
“It wasn’t a home from home but it was the next best thing. And in the short times we had to leave her, we knew there was always someone with her.
“Sadly I lost my dad just six weeks after my mum died and all he wanted was for us to support the hospice in any way we can.”
There’s still time to Step up for your local hospice. To find out more visit sfh.org.uk/step-up
