2 minute read
Fundraising For Forest Holme
Bonnie Cyrnik (below, left) very bravely took on a Wing Walk recently to fundraise for Forest Holme. We sat down with her to hear more about her fundraising challenge.
Tell us about your challenge for the hospice?
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On 26 June 2021 myself and my wonderful friend Camille Campbell-Wild took part in Forest Holme’s Wing Walk fundraising event. I had seen a post about this on the Facebook page and so on a Friday night after a glass of wine, I messaged Camille to see if she fancied signing up for it (she is terrified of heights, but is trying to do 39 crazy things this year before she turns 40 this year, so I thought I would enlist her support!).
To prepare for the Wing Walk – as practice for the heights, I also ‘surprised’ Camille with a Skydive (for another favourite charity of mine – Spaniel Aid UK), lucky lady! I always try to donate when I see fundraising campaigns for the hospice, so was hopeful this would go some small way to say thank you to the nurses and staff, as I have never really had the opportunity to give back properly before.
What made you do it for Forest Holme?
The charity is massively important to me (as they cared for my lovely mum – Susan Greenham, when she had Lewy Body Dementia and Cancer). The dementia made it very difficult for her to be treated in a hospital, even in a shared room with two other ladies, so Forest Holme Hospice were vitally important to me and my family in the thirteen days between Cancer diagnosis and her passing. I was glad to be able to raise some much needed funds (the final total was £2,123 on our Just Giving page), to go a small way to saying thank you to the wonderful staff at Forest Holme.
What does Forest Holme mean to you?
The nurses at Forest Holme gave amazing palliative care to Mum. They supported our whole family, became a home away from home, allowing us to spend her last week or so of life in beautiful surroundings, feeling cared for and loved. I particularly remember a fantastic nurse, Carmel, who was so absolutely wonderful, she is someone I will never forget x. I think that anybody who has ever visited Forest Holme because they have had friends or family there, will know how truly special the place is, filled with wonderful staff, who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care.
What would you say to someone considering supporting the hospice?
The Charity needs to raise £2,500 every day to support their work, so I would encourage anybody with the capacity to help, to sign up for fundraising events when they see them – not only will they have great fun, but will ensure that this good work continues!
