Despite it being a big task, the Morriston Orpheus Choir, based near Swansea in Wales, agreed to perform in Lincoln and Keith set about getting the Cathedral on side and St Barnabas on board. And he was successful! That year, Keith packed 1,100 people into Lincoln Cathedral, including almost 100 singers, and raised significant money for the Hospice. In fact, it was so successful that he brought them to Lincoln again in 2005 and 2016, and they performed again as part of the St Barnabas 40th year celebrations this year.
Keith helped us celebrate and fundraise on our 30th anniversary too, only this time he reverted to his love of athletics. He’s been all over the world supporting Team GB and his son-in-law Tom nominated Keith to carry the Olympic torch through Lincoln. To Keith’s surprise, he was chosen!
The next few months saw Keith running around his estate in the dark of night carrying a rolling pin in preparation. It was only when he stood on the start line in Lincoln that he discovered he was to run twice the usual distance before he passed the torch to Olympian Jade Etherington!
With his fundraising hat on, Keith bought the torch and raised money taking it to schools, offices, shops and other places across Lincolnshire. After five months of fundraising, he raised an amazing £5,327 and still has his fundraising certificate displayed in his garage. These days the torch is kept at Lincoln Guildhall and Keith is able to withdraw it for his fundraising efforts, including taking it with him each year to take part in the St Barnabas Light up a Life Torchlight Procession.
In his own words…
“I enjoy every minute I spend fundraising for the Hospice. Donning the Olympic suit and taking the torch and memorabilia to St Barnabas events is especially fun. And working alongside the fundraising team to organise the choir events is really special. But at 85 years old, I’m yet to be persuaded to be the Torchlight Procession torch bearer!”
To see all 40 Faces and their stories, please visit: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/40faces
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ehospice UK edition, Editors Note:
This is the third in a series of 40 articles celebrating the founders, staff members, volunteers and supporters who have helped contribute to the vital care St Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln, provides to those living with a life-limiting or terminal illness and their families.
These stories will find parallels across all other hospices across the UK. If you wish to share your news/stories/blogs then please send them to info@ehospice.com.
To register for the weekly ehospice newsletter which brings together stories from around the world please go to: https://ehospice.com/register/
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St Barnabas Hospice is a local independent charity, and every year they support more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire.
They deliver free, high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, their family and carers.
St Barnabas offers the patient and their family hospice care and support via: specialist inpatient care, care at home, day therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapy, welfare advice and bereavement support.
All the services are free. St Barnabas needs to raise over £6m a year to provide its support and care. Over 900 volunteers play a crucial role in the charity’s success.
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