Determine Jackie does her bit for St Luke's (From Warrington Guardian)

Determine Jackie does her bit for St Luke's

A PATIENT at St Luke's Hospice in Winsford organised a sponsored abseiling event to thank staff at the hospice for the inspirational care she receives there.

Jackie Bebbington is fighting breast cancer but still managed to co-ordinate the abseiling day at Tegg's Nose Country Park in Macclesfield from her bed in the hospice's in-patient unit.

Such was Jackie's enthusiasm that 33 people turned up last month to master the steep walls of the quarry at Tegg's Nose, helping to raise more than £2,000 to spend on improving the gardens at St Luke's.

Jackie said: "The care here inspired me to set it up. In less than 24 hours here I came from dying to living again.

"The standard of care deserves to be known by people - they should know that St Luke's is not just a place to die."

She added: "Hopefully, we have been able to raise enough money to improve the fish pond at St Luke's and add to the gardens, so that people can keep going outside in the evening and sit and enjoy themselves.

"It's so relaxing - the gardens are just lovely."

St Luke's fundraising manager Hannah Cullis-Stickley said: "Jackie is a very determined character. She orchestrated all of this from her bed."

Jackie was all set to take part in the abseil herself but did not feel well enough on the day to complete the event. Luckily, her landlord Ian Whitaker stepped in for her at Tegg's Nose.

Jackie also wants to thank her friends Bev Plant and Karen Merrill for helping organise the abseil, and is organising a hog roast in Crewe in August to raise even more cash for the hospice.

Call the hospice's fundraising team on 01606 551246 for more information about the hog roast.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk