Rosie Connor will step out of her comfort zone and onto hot coals this October to raise funds for Hospiscare in recognition of the care we are giving her mum, Siobhan.
Rosie explains, “We were referred to Hospiscare through the oncology department at the hospital. At first, we refused as we didn’t understand the service Hospiscare provides. When we learned how Hospiscare could help, we decided to request some support through Mum’s GP.
“Hospiscare’s nurses came to visit Mum at home and at that point, we realised we needed to work with them – they were there for us as a family and not just Mum.
“Since then, Mum’s care has been led by us – we ask for what we need, when we need it, and the hospice sends it. Hospiscare’s nurses and doctors have visited Mum at home to make sure her medication and care planning are right, helping her to make plans around the future so that she can have the death she chooses. The hospice’s occupational therapist has also visited to talk about what kind of equipment and aids can be offered to keep her independent at home.”
Siobhan says, “I thought the hospice was the final stage – that you came into the hospice and you died. I didn’t realise all the services that they provide, like helping me with medication. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be here now.”
Rosie with her mum, Siobhan, in the hospice garden
Rosie was the first person to sign up to Hospiscare’s Firewalk, a brand-new fundraising event taking place at Winslade Park on 17 October 2024. The event, kindly sponsored by Commercial, invites challengers to test their courage and determination to raise funds for our local hospice. Experienced firewalk trainers will guide participants through the process and teach them how to conquer the coals safely.
The Firewalk is open to anyone aged 18 and over and costs just £30 to sign up, with a suggested £200 sponsorship raised by each walker for Hospiscare.
Determined to raise funds and awareness for Hospiscare, Rosie has already raised quadruple the suggested sponsorship and continues: “I wanted to find a way of fundraising for Hospiscare because of everything they’re doing for us as a family. I began following the charity on social media and that’s when I saw the link for The Firewalk, so I signed up there and then.
“I’ve never done, or even thought of doing something like this before. If I hadn’t seen the Firewalk advertised from Hospiscare, I never would have tried it.
“I think the Firewalk is symbolic of what we, as a family, are facing. We’re going through something so difficult and finding strength. We’re trying to keep that fire within us, even though we’re going through one of the most difficult times in our lives. I think this event will connect with a lot of people in this way.”
Rosie and Siobhan with Hospiscare Senior Fundraiser, Martin Stokke, who is organising Hospiscare’s hottest new event
Siobhan continues, “Events like The Firewalk unite families. It’s given me a bit of strength and I am so proud of my daughter. Watching Rosie take on the challenge, it’ll be like I’m doing it myself. It’s a united thing and it makes me feel very important and very special.
“One thing that’s really important to me is that I don’t want my kids to be carers. I want us to have a normal mother-daughter relationship. Hospiscare gives me that. I don’t want to be a burden to my children. Hospiscare knows every step I take, and they can get the right person to help me so I can have my time with Rosie, and that’s so valuable to me.
“I think it’s really important that Rosie is doing The Firewalk and raising awareness for the hospice. Hospiscare is so valuable and hopefully her story will encourage more people to take on challenges like this.”
Siobhan in the hospice garden
Rosie was spurred on to fundraise for Hospiscare after she and her mum learned of the recent cuts to our services as a result of our £2.5 million funding deficit. Our hospice receives just 15% of our funding from the local integrated care board, Devon ICB, in stark contrast to the national average of 27%. Despite members of the public writing to Devon ICB to plead Hospiscare’s case, and the charity’s continued efforts to secure fair funding, the board’s position remained unchanged and we made the difficult decision to reduce the number of beds on our specialist ward by a quarter and cut back weekend services in the community.
Responding to these cuts to our vital services, Siobhan says, “It makes me angry. The hospice says it ‘took the difficult decision’ to cut services but it didn’t. It was forced to.
“Hospiscare has been forced into this situation – the power and control has been taken away because the Government aren’t listening.
“At the end of the day, the hospice is the front force – they’re the ones who have sat with somebody who’s only got a few months left. People in the offices making these funding decisions, they need to speak to people like me who are going through it to make them realise what it would be like without Hospiscare.”
Rosie celebrating her graduation from university with her mum before Siobhan’s diagnosis
Rosie adds, “For me, I just feel utterly ashamed and disgusted that this is being done to such a valuable service in the community. Knowing what a difference the hospice makes to people at the end of their lives and how it supports their families, it’s heart-breaking to know that due to funding shortages from the government, people are going to go without the support that we’ve been so lucky to have throughout.
Siobhan continues, “If I didn’t have Hospiscare, I would have lost myself a long time ago. They’re always there to listen and respect how I think and feel. It’s so important to me to feel independent and without Hospiscare, I wouldn’t have that.
“In terms of my mental health, I wouldn’t have done so well without Hospiscare, so a pat on the back for all of you – every single department – for doing an amazing job. You need to be aware of what you’re doing for other people. This last year has not been a misery for me. I’ve lived my life, but it’s been with the help of you all. You probably don’t realise the things you do.”
Rosie concludes, “It’s so important to raise the profile of Hospiscare and their funding deficit – it has such an impact on our local community. I want people to celebrate the hospice and take part in supporting this amazing service to continue. Every penny counts. Turn up, help spread the word and help raise those pennies to make sure that these services continue so that families like ours can be supported.”
Join Rosie this October and brave the blaze to give strength to patients like Siobhan. Sign up to Hospiscare’s Firewalk here.
You can also donate to Rosie’s Firewalk, inspired by her mum, by clicking here.
