Treetops Hospice Care appeals for fundraisers to aid care of terminally-ill patients

Treetops Hospice Care is calling on young and old to take part in Starlight Steps on May 15, which replaces the annual Starlight Strut which has been cancelled amid lockdown.

Lorraine Ray, fundraising events lead, said: “We are asking people far and wide to support Treetops by completing 5,000 Starlight Steps and get sponsored by family and friends.

“You could walk, jog, run, bounce, dance, hop, skip or jump.

“But most importantly, please help us make each and every step count, by asking your family and friends to sponsor you.

“It costs £105 for one of our Hospice at Home nurses to provide overnight care for a terminally-ill patient in their own home.”

Treetops provides nursing care for adults with life-limiting conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.

Jayne Walker, 58, and her daughter Clare Smith, 31, both of Long Eaton, were the first to sign up to Starlight Steps, after originally registering for Starlight Strut.

Jayne said: “My mum had had a stroke in 2015 and my dad became her main carer. In September 2018 I realised that being Mum’s main carer at the age of 85 was getting a bit too much for him, so I decided to start working part-time so I could help.

Unfortunately just as I was working my notice from my full time job, mum was taken ill. She was taken into hospital and we were told she’d got bowel cancer. She was very poorly with it and we got told that she had limited life left. Mum wanted to come home and was released from hospital the next day.”Jayne moved in with her parents to help. She said: “We had some basic carers come in, but Treetops offered us Hospice at Home nurses for night sits. The nurses were really caring. Unfortunately, the nurses only came for two nights in the end as mum only stayed with us for eighteen days.”

Those wishing to join the fundraiser, which is free entry, can register at www.treetopshospice.org.uk/events/starlight-steps