Women gear up for the Midnight Walk
Tessa Watkins • Published 3 Feb 2011 09:30
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READING'S third midnight walk for Sue Ryder will mark 32 years of care at the Nettlebed hospice.
The charity hopes women across the Borough will unite to complete the 10K sponsored walk around Green Park on Saturday May 14 so that the hospice can continue to provide care in the community.
Jan Gibbs, from Benson, recalled how she was inspired to change her career completely after seeing the way staff cared for her father.
Mrs Gibbs worked in catering for 17 years until her father fell ill and was admitted to the hospice by his GP over 20 years ago. She said: "My dad was suffering badly at home with no palliative care. Sadly he passed away two weeks later but thankfully he died peacefully and pain free. My family and I were even allowed to stay at the hospice for four days and I witnessed how dad was cared for by loving and dedicated staff. I was so impressed with the work the staff did, not only for dad, but for all the other patients and their families."
After her dad's death on October 31 1987, Mrs Gibbs turned her back on catering to help other families like hers. She said: "I started doing voluntary work helping with teas. After a year, I was allowed to start my training as an auxiliary nurse working with the matron, two nurses and domestic staff. I felt blessed and privileged to work in such a wonderful place. I have seen many changes since I started working here but the love and care remains constant."
Mrs Gibbs has reduced her working days to three but cannot imagine stopping altogether. She added: "I know what my family went through when dad was ill so I feel for our patients and their families."
For more information on the Midnight Walk, call 01491 641070 or email fundraising.nettlebed@sueryder.org
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 02 Feb 11
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