Make a referral
Michelle and her mum.

Walking to remember Karen and Brenda

When Michelle Walters thinks about our hospice, she doesn’t just remember the exceptional care her family received. She remembers the laughter, music and kindness that helped them through two of the hardest times of their lives.

This year, Michelle will take part in Walk to Remember, joining others to celebrate and remember loved ones while raising vital funds to support local families cared for by our charity.

Michelle first visited our hospice when her sister, Karen, came into our care.

“I expected it to feel like a hospital,” Michelle says. “Instead, it felt like home.

“Karen never stopped talking about the compassion shown by every member of staff and how nothing was ever too much trouble.”

One memory still makes Michelle smile. When our cook, Gary, offered Karen an aperitif, she laughed and replied: “It’s not even 11 o’clock!”

“It was moments like these that showed they cared about so much more than medical needs,” Michelle says. “They cared about people’s dignity, happiness and quality of life.”

Collage of pictures of ladies smiling.

Michelle with friend Niki, and her mum and her sister Karen.

Knowing where mum should be

Later, when Michelle’s mum, Brenda, needed end-of-life care, the family knew where they wanted her to be.

“The only place we wanted was Katharine House Hospice,” Michelle says. “I knew Mum would be treated with the love, kindness and respect she deserved.”

Our care team helped the family make precious memories together.

Michelle recalls: “They played Mum’s favourite group, Il Divo. It was kindness like that which meant we could make those final moments really special.

“A nurse stayed with me and my brother, reassuring us. While I was sitting with Mum, I was given an arm massage. Later I received bereavement support, which really helped.

“I can never thank the staff enough,” she says. “To me, they truly are angels on earth.”

The front of a T-shirt with photos of her mum and sister on the front.

Commemorative T-shirt.

Walking in memory of Karen and Brenda

Wanting to give something back in memory of Karen and Brenda, Michelle and her friend Niki completed the West Highland Way in Scotland. Together, they walked the challenging 96-mile route over nine days and raised nearly £5,000.

Michelle says: “Taking on challenges like this, and joining Walk to Remember, is my way of saying thank you and remembering Mum and Karen. The hospice gave them such wonderful care and supported all of us through the hardest times. I hope that by taking part, more local families can receive the same compassion, kindness and dignity that meant so much to ours.”

 

Walk to Remember takes place on Saturday, 26 September at Shugborough Estate.

The accessible route is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, dogs are welcome and parking is free.

To find out more or register, visit www.khhospice.org.uk/walk

A group of women smiling with big cheque. Two of them in walk T-shirts.

Giving back to the hospice.