A fun-filled and entertaining night raised thousands of pounds for a hospital team in memory of a North Yorkshire man.
The event, which was held to celebrate Louis Baxter’s life and to thank Hambleton and Richmondshire’s specialist palliative care team, raised more than £11,568 for the hospital team’s charity fund.
The 80-year-old, of Richmond, was being looked after by the Friarage Hospital-based specialist palliative care team, as part of his end-of-life care treatment plan.
Specialist palliative care team with Sandy and Clare (Image: Supplied)
Throughout his care, Mr Baxter sang the praises of the team caring for him, and he was able to create a ‘meaningful bond’ with them.
Last year, Mr Baxter passed away ‘within the comfort of his own home’ and surrounded by his family.
Moved by the compassionate care Mr Baxter received during the last stages of his life, his wife Sandy and daughter Clare decided to give something back.
Louis Baxter (Image: Supplied)
They decided to hold a fundraising event to express their thanks and gratitude to the staff who looked after him whilst celebrating Mr Baxter’s incredible life.
After months of planning, the duo got together with friends and family and organised a fun-filled ‘casino night’ in February.
Staff from the specialist palliative care team also took part in the evening as they played their luck on the swanky casino tables – with fake casino chips and no real-life gambling.
Hayley Hadfield with Sandra Baxter (Louis’ wife), Mark Baxter (Louis’ son) and Clare Constantine (Louis’ daughter) (Image: Supplied)
The funds raised by people buying casino chips were donated to Our Hospitals Charity, the official charity arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and will help the team provide vital equipment for patients locally, which is not funded by the NHS.
This includes memory boxes, bereavement books and worry monsters for children, and wellbeing initiatives for patients and life story work.
Palliative care clinical nurse specialist Hayley Hadfield, who looked after Mr Baxter throughout his care, said: “As a team, we were extremely privileged to be involved in Louis’s care, from the initial referral into the early palliative intervention team and palliative dietitian, to his care then being transferred to the specialist palliative care team for more complex symptom management and end-of-life care.
‘Thank you’ board donated to the team by the Baxter family in memory of Louis (Image: Supplied)
“I was fortunate enough to get to know Louis and his wonderful family during his illness, and the resilience, love and ability to support one another despite the situation left a lasting impression.
“As a team, we can’t even begin to express how grateful we are to the Baxter family for hosting such a wonderful event in memory of Louis and raising such an incredible amount of money for our charity, which will help so many families locally.”
The night also included an auction, bottle raffle and a lively disco.
Mr Baxter’s wife, Sandy said: “Louis had strength and determination, which were recognised by Hayley.
“They established a bond, which together with her skill and empathy, carried us all through to the end.
“My family felt that we owed her and her team a debt of gratitude, and when we learned about the charity fund, it provided us with a way of fulfilling this.
“The amazing fundraising casino night was my daughter Clare’s idea and she must take full credit for its success.”
Not only did the family raise thousands of pounds for the hospital team, but they also gifted them a handmade ‘thank you’ pin board in memory ofMr Baxter.
The auction was supported by businesses in the area and raised more than £1,500.
Community fundraiser for Our Hospitals Charity, Judith Masterman said: “We cannot thank Sandy and her amazing family enough for supporting our palliative care team, and look forward to the next event on June 8.”
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