Construction and property business network, Interact Derby, has donated £10,000 to local charity Treetops Hospice in memory of Patrick (Paddy) Harkins. Paddy was instrumental in establishing the Derby branch of Interact to become the largest of 24 branches in the UK.
Last year, Paddy received end-of-life nursing care at home from the Treetops Hospice nurses. Paddy’s daughters, Kate and Hannah explained the difference this made:
“During September last year, we found ourselves in a position no-one wants to be in. We were nursing our Dad as he neared the end of his life.
“He told us he wasn’t afraid of dying. He just wanted to be at peace, at home and without pain. As his two daughters, we knew we would honour this but never knew just how difficult it would be.”
Paddy’s family contacted Treetops for support.
“After many conversations, along came the Treetops Roaming Nurse Team. Registered Nurse Lisa and her colleague arrived, bursting with smiles and energy. Dad greeted her with open arms. Our phone calls to the team were always met with positivity and never “we can’t get to you”.
“Having the Roaming Nurse Team meant that everything was just that little bit more settled for Dad. He was so stoic; we could see his pain but knowing he didn’t have to do this in a hospital was just so important. The team provided much needed respite over a couple of nights, allowing us to get some sleep.
“We, as a whole family, will always be grateful for the little spark of positivity and assurance when the Treetops nurses arrived to support Dad. The Roaming Nurse Service is incredibly important, and we hope will remain for many years to come.
“Interact was a passion of Dad’s. He was very modest with how much he grew the Derby Branch. We were astonished at the donation of £10,000, but in a very bittersweet way, it honours Dad’s memory to a tee.
“He will be smiling down knowing that his battle may have been painful and short, but this donation will help many more people in a difficult situation.”
Phil Cooper, Branch Chair from Derby Interact presented the cheque. He said:
“The choice of Treetops Hospice as our charity for this year was a unanimous one amongst our members, the majority of whom were either longstanding friends or business associates of Paddy.
“On behalf of Interact, I would like to thank Treetops for their much-appreciated support to Paddy and his family.”
Paddy was also successful in leading the growth of the Interact Derby Annual Christmas Lunch, generally regarded at the best event in the Construction and Property professional’s calendar across the Midlands region.
For further information about Treetops services visit www.treetops.org.uk
This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
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Photo caption: L-R: Patrick and Fraser from the Treetops Hospice Huntington’s Disease Support Group with Phil Cooper, Branch Chair -Derby Interact and Adela Appleby, Head of Community Relations, Treetops Hospice
About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
This year, we are very proud to be celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in our local community. During this time, we have supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
We have achieved this amazing milestone thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help across the whole hospice and in our charity shops, our hard-working staff team, and our supporters, past and present.
Last year, our team of Hospice at Home nurses provided over 20,000 hours of care to terminally-ill patients, working day and night to give much-needed support.
Our team of bereavement counsellors provided over 4,500 counselling sessions – more than 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 519540
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