Charity helps terminally ill have ‘a day to remember’

Apr 14 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A FORMER nurse who left the profession to set up a charity in memory of three late friends has seen the project go from strength to strength.

The HoneyRose Foundation, in St Helens, was set up by Lynn Duffy in 2004 and since then it has helped hundreds of terminally-ill people make their dying wishes a reality by sending them on day or weekend trips of their choice.

So far, Mrs Duffy and her small family team, including son Greg, his partner Kerry Greenall and almost a dozen volunteers, have helped 230 families.

“It’s fantastic how it’s really taken off,” she said.

“It just gives a little bit of hope, picks people up a little bit from the treatment they’re having, and it brings families together.

“We arrange things such as helicopter flights, hot air balloon rides, trips to London for a show – one person wanted to go to where the programme Balamory is filmed and stay at a character’s house.

“Our mission is to provide a memorable day for people who are suffering from a terminal illness. To give them a special day or weekend to remember and enjoy.”

The foundation was set up in memory of three of Mrs Duffy’s friends, whom she lost in a short space of time. Friend and mentor Rose Clark died of lung cancer in 2001, after encouraging Mrs Duffy to pursue a career in fundraising.

Two years later, colleague Nicola Honey was 21 when she died of a rare ovarian cancer and, in the same year, family friend Karen White, an occupational therapist at Arrowe Park hospital, was 27 when she suffered a fatal brain tumour.

Mrs Duffy, 53, had been a nurse at Whiston hospital for 34 years before setting up the Foundation.

Funds allow for them to spend up to £500 on a trip.

She said: “I had arranged for Nicola and Karen to go away with another charity and I liked what they did. They both had a fantastic day before they died and I realised it was something I wanted to do.”

Now the HoneyRose Foundation is looking for corporate support to ensure its future. Despite being a registered charity, with patrons including comedians Johnny Vegas and Jimmy Cricket, and former St Helens rugby star Chris Joynt, its policy of having no upper-age limit on the people it helps means it is often illegible for types of funding.

In May last year, the Foundation opened its own charity shop to help raise money.

Forthcoming fundraisers for the charity include a question of sport competition to be held at Jamie Carragher’s Cafe Sports England, on April 17, from 6.30pm, organised by city solicitor Joseph Walsh, from Brabners Chaffe Street.

There is also a summer ball at the Devonshire House Hotel on June 28. For more information, visit www.honeyrose foundation.co.uk

vickyanderson