A decade of support from the Kay Smith Fund
Over the last decade the Kay Smith Fund have donated over £120,000 towards the Counselling & Support Service at the Hospice and in particular the Children’s Bereavement Service.
The Kay Smith Fund was set up in memory of Kay Smith who was cared for at Alice House Hospice in 2006 and has raised money in her memory to be used to support the work of the Hospice’s Children’s Bereavement Service; her legacy for local children in Hartlepool and East Durham.
"The Fund members, friends and family are still as committed today to supporting what Kay started years ago, what a fitting tribute to a wonderful lady.”
Mick Sumpter, the Kay Smith Fund Trustee
In the past 10 years, the donations from the Kay Smith Fund have helped to shape and develop the Counselling & Support Services. Alice House Hospice would like to pay tribute to Kay by continuing with the honour of naming a dedicated ‘Kay Smith Counsellor’ who will work within the Counselling & Support Services and continue to lead on children’s services.
The most recent donation of £20,000 was raised through various fundraising efforts including a Coast 2 Coast event arranged by Kay’s brother in law, Brendan Cafferkey. Brendan managed to combine a group of unlikely and sometimes unwilling Whitehouse locals to take part in a Coast 2 Coast ride from Hartlepool to Whitehaven. Despite all of Brendan’s training and effort, his granddaughter and Kay’s great niece, Orla, clearly stole the show when handing in the cheque for £20,000 at Alice House Hospice.
Mick Sumpter, Kay Smith Trustee had this to say, “What a fantastic year 2016 has been for the Kay Smith Fund. Brendon and his team of mates have pulled off an outstanding result completing the Coast to Coast bike ride and Kay’s nieces, Leaza and Deanne organised a fantastic night at the domes; combined the events made a phenomenal £35K. There is a sense of pride felt throughout members of the Kay Smith Fund knowing that we are making a difference, supporting a team of professionals who are working with families to help them come to terms with the loss of a loved one. The Fund members, friends and family are still as committed today to supporting what Kay started years ago, what a fitting tribute to a wonderful lady.”
Over 100 children have been helped through the devastation of dealing with losing loved ones because of The Children’s Bereavement Service.
Here are some comments received from children who have used the service:
“I know it’s not my fault that my nana died”
“I have learned that grief is a long process and its ok to feel how I feel, it’s all part of grieving”
“I will miss my time with my counsellor and would like to say a BIG thank you”
“I will always remember doing my dad’s memory box and talking”
Some of the comments received from parents of children who have used the service:
“I think my son knows he has lost his mam now, and he can move on and life will not stop. Thank you for your help”
“Thank you, I have got my son back”
“An invaluable service which really helped my child to understand the grieving process and how he was feeling”
To find out more about the Counselling & Support Services please visit our Patients & Carers area.