A supporter of Newark-based charity, Beaumond House Hospice Care, has won a national award in recognition of his fundraising efforts.

Les Reid, whose wife was cared for by the hospice, was awarded the Best Fundraiser award at the Palliative and End of Life Care Awards.

The ceremony, which was presented by Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway, paid tribute to individuals and organisations that excel in end of life and palliative care.

Les’ wife, Marian, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and was given just four to eight months to live. During the final months of her life, she was cared for at home by the Beaumond House Hospice at Home team.

Les said: “The Hospice at Home service meant Marian could be looked after in familiar surroundings. Nurses, occupational therapists, and the palliative care team cared for her with so much dignity, which was no easy feat as she couldn’t do anything for herself.”

Marian passed away in June 2022 and, since then, Les has honoured her memory by raising almost £6,000 for the hospice — with the first fundraiser taking place just two months after her death.

He said: “Marian knew the end was imminent and she didn’t want anyone to be sad. Her final instructions were to hold a garden party at home to raise funds for Beaumond House and to send her ashes skyward in a rocket — a purple rocket to be precise, as this was her favourite colour!”

The garden party raised just under £2,000, which funded two rise and recline chairs for Beamond House — something which Marian herself had used at home to make her more comfortable.

Since then, Les has continued to raise funds for the hospice and has organised another two fundraising events — one that saw him shave off his beard and another thath saw his friend, Aimee, and her daughter, Violet, shave their heads.

As a result, the charity has been able to purchase a third Rise and Recline chair for one of its In-patient rooms.

Andrea Ward, individual giving manager at Beaumond House, who nominated Les for the award, said: “When I first contacted Les about the awards, he told me that there were probably people who had raised more money for the hospice than he had. But for me, this award was about much more.

“Les has shown dedication and commitment to raising money and awareness of the hospice. His first fundraising event was just a few weeks after Marian’s death, but he was determined to make it happen and did a fantastic job.

“I am so proud to have been able to work alongside Les and his family, and support them through their journey. This award couldn’t be more well-deserved.”

To find out more about Beaumond House and how to get involved in fundraising, go to www.beaumondhouse.co.uk

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