Lucy Garrard raises £500 in memory of her Father

In October, knowing about the incoming second lockdown, Lucy set out to make Charity Christmas cards. Lucy, who works as a primary school teacher, also has a small business selling cards she makes in her spare time called Love Lulu Cards.

Lucy was aware of Farleigh because her Nan, Lynne Holman, used our services when she became ill with terminal cancer a few years ago. Lynne attended the Hospice to take part in counselling and support sessions. Lucy noted that her nan, "Always came away so happy. Herself and my grandad didn't have a bad word to say about the loving and caring staff."

Sadly, during the summer of 2020, Lucy's father Paul Garrard was told his cancer had spread, and it was now terminal. Lucy recalls that Farleigh would call him regularly to make sure he was okay.

Lucy, with her father Paul Garrard

In light of her recent family circumstances, Lucy decided that the money raised selling her Christmas cards would go towards Farleigh, expecting that our hospice would become vital to her father in his last weeks.

As of the 6th of December, Lucy announced proudly to her friends and family that she had raised £412! Lucy's father then generously offered to top her fundraising up to £500.

Unfortunately, on the 9th December, Paul passed away just a few hours after being admitted to hospital.

Lucy wrote to Farleigh to say: "Although I am currently struggling and coming to terms with his death, I am proud of myself for raising this much money for such a vital charity. Although you didn't need to provide as much support for him as we thought he would need, the little that you did provide was priceless. He knew he could always turn to you. We hope as a family that this donation will go towards supporting others with terminal cancer in the future."

On behalf of Farleigh, we wish the Garrard family our deepest condolences for their loss at this time. We are honoured to help the community whenever they need us. We are incredibly grateful that Lucy made this generous donation to us in memory of her father. The money will help us to continue our essential care of those in the community, who like her father, may need us in any big or small manner.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with grief, please remember that our bereavement services are open, free of charge, to anyone in the mid-Essex area that needs them.

You can find out more about our services here.