Hospice patient raises funds for new therapy equipment

A Barnsley Hospice patient has thanked staff for her care by raising hundreds of pounds to fund new complementary therapy equipment.
 
Alison Binnington, 44, held a raffle, bingo and a quiz at her father Arthur Highley’s 70th birthday party, raising £700 to buy a new massage chair, bolsters and heated couch covers. First Direct Banking in Leeds, where Alison’s sister-in-law is employed, have agreed to match the donation.
 
Alison, of Hope Street, Staincross, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 after previously receiving treatment for breast and skin cancer.
 
She receives complementary therapy including massages, pedicures and reflexology sessions at the hospice’s on-site Limes Day Therapy Unit.
 
“The hospice is the only time I can switch off from what I’m going through,” Alison said. “I feel so relaxed, and it helps to spend time with people who are experiencing the same thing because they understand.
 
“Coming to the hospice is extremely important to me – my life would be a lot harder without it.”
 
Alison personally bought the equipment so that the hospice could receive it more quickly. “I’m hugely grateful to everyone who came to the party and helped support the hospice,” she said. “I’d also like to thank Kingfisher in Calder Grove and Allum’s Butchers in Wakefield for offering us discounted food, and Hampson’s Plantworld in Wakefield for donating an afternoon tea voucher which we raffled off.”
 
Arthur Highley, Alison’s father, said: “It’s amazing how well Alison is coping and that’s down to the care she’s receiving at the hospice. She loves spending time there and you can see how uplifted it makes her feel.”
 
Karen Watson, day therapy sister at Barnsley Hospice, added: “We’re so grateful to Alison and her family for providing this fantastic new equipment. We’re fortunate to be able to provide complementary therapy and our patients really value the sessions, so their donation will be a huge help to patients and staff.”
 
The Limes complementary therapy sessions take place on Tuesdays between 10am and 1pm, and Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm. They are open to anyone with a life-limiting illness and no pre-booking or referral is required. The Limes also offers social work support and advice, art and craft sessions and counselling for both patients and families. 

Photo shows from left: Kath Highley, Arthur Highley, Alison Binnington & Diane Gledhill-Cragg, complementary therapy team leader at the Hospice.