Dr Kershaw’s has launched Rose to Remember, giving the community the opportunity to dedicate a beautiful pink, metal rose to their loved ones, with their dedication enabling more patients and their families across the community to receive specialist care and support from the hospice.

Steve Gallagher has been supporting Dr Kershaw’s since his sister, Debby received care at the hospice before she sadly passed away on April 13 last year.

The Oldham Times: Steve Gallagher supporting Dr Kershaw’s Rose to Remember Appeal in memory of his sister Debby (below) with staff nurses, Sam and Bindhu

To show his support, Steve asked friends and family to join him on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge last summer, raising money for Dr Kershaw’s in memory of Debby.

Over 40 people joined Steve to be part of ‘Debby’s Heroes,’ raising an incredible £2,638. Steve dedicated a rose to Debby last year which meant a lot to him and his family and with the launch of Rose to Remember 2024, the family wanted to show their support for the hospice once again by dedicating three pink roses in Debby’s memory.

Steve explained: “Debby was just 57, she was married with three children, a nana to nine, with two sisters and myself, her brother.

“Debby was my best friend and we loved spending time together, we had such a laugh. Christmas 2022, we went out for drinks, I went to the toilet and it was weeks later that I found a ton of selfies from Debby on my phone.

The Oldham Times: Debby

“Just two months later, in February last year, it was a huge shock when Debby was diagnosed with bowel cancer. By the time she received her diagnosis, the cancer had already spread and just a few short weeks later she was receiving care at home from the Macmillan team.

“Debby knew about Dr Kershaw’s and knew she wanted to go there for her last days. From the minute she arrived at the Hospice, it was like Debby had come home, she put her slippers on, felt comfortable there and was ready.

“Everything about the hospice was just incredible, Debby was immaculate and so well looked after.

“We were dreading her going into a hospital so to have the level of care provided by the hospice team was a huge relief.

“The hospice environment was serene, her bed was turned to look out into the beautiful gardens and she was at peace. Debby was only in the hospice for 36 hours but it meant the world to us that she spent her last hours in such a wonderful place.

“Rose to Remember gives us a fond reminder of everything good, of all the positive. The roses let us know that Debby isn’t suffering now and they are part of our healing as a family. One rose will stay with Debby at her grave, the other with my mum and the last with me.

“If you can support Rose to Remember and remember your loved ones then please do. Money comes and goes but people will always remember how their loved ones were looked after. My rose supports the hospice and future patients as well as keeping Debby’s memory alive.”

For the third year running, Rose to Remember also has the backing of the team at the Co-op store in Rochdale Road, Royton - who are already supporters of the work carried out at the Hospice to care for patients in the local community.

The Co-op store team will be supporting the Rose to Remember Event by donating supplies to be served at Café K, as well as helping to serve refreshments.

Darren Ramsden, store manager, said: “Co-op is committed to making a difference in the local community, and the Royton Co-op store is delighted to once again be able to support Dr Kershaw’s Rose to Remember.

“Dr Kershaw’s is not only close to my own heart, but I know it has made a real difference to so many other families in our community too.

“We wish Rose to Remember every success, and we are proud to be able to once again contribute towards the vital work that the Hospice provides locally.”

This year’s Dr Kershaw’s Rose to Remember gives you the chance to honour the life and memory of someone special by purchasing a beautiful, metal pink rose.

“Every rose has been crafted with care specially for the hospice by local company, G & J Logistics, based in Royton.

The rose measures around 6cm in diameter and 30cm high to enable them to be planted in the hospice garden in remembrance and celebration of your loved ones.

The bespoke roses cost £10 each, but supporters are welcome to make an additional donation. Donations over £30 will receive a 2024 Rose to Remember pin badge. Every rose purchased and dedicated will contribute towards the vital care of patients and their families at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

The Oldham Times: Tracey Harrison with a Rose to Remember

An exclusive viewing of the roses will take place at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice on Sunday, June 23 from 11.30am to 2pm at the hospice’s Rose to Remember event where a short celebrant service will take place in celebration of each person’s loved ones. Supporters will then be able to collect their rose to take home for their own gardens.

Supporters will also have the opportunity to enjoy performances from Dr Kershaw’s Hospice Choir, to indulge in tea and cake from Café K and browse through a small selection of hospice stalls, with games available for the hospice’s younger supporters in the beautiful gardens.

Each rose will be placed in the hospice gardens for collection during the Rose to Remember event. For those who are unable to attend the event or to call in to the hospice to collect their rose, Dr Kershaw’s will mail the rose out for a small additional charge of £5 per rose to cover postage and packaging.

Jill Kirkham, community and partnerships lead at Dr Kershaw’s said: “Whether remembering those you have lost or simply showing your support for our hospice, your kindness and generosity will help to support our future patients now and in years to come, at the same time as honouring your loved one’s memory.

“By dedicating a rose you will make a difference to the patients in our care. Your £10 could provide a good night’s sleep, helping towards a patient’s freshly laundered bedlinen, a £20 dedication could help a love one left behind by providing bereavement support and £30 could help towards the comfort of personal care in a patient’s own home.

Once a dedication has been made, the hospice will also write your loved one’s name on a special rose card. Your personal dedication card will be displayed on the blossom tree in our Reflections Room for you to view and take away with your rose on the day.”

To find out more or to order your Rose to Remember visit www.drkh.org.uk/rosetoremember or contact the hospice’s fundraising team on 0161 624 9984 or fundraising@drkh.org.uk.