Barry woman asks people to ‘Light Up the Night’ for Marie Curie
Barry woman asks people to ‘Light Up the Night’ for Marie Curie
By Marcus Stead – Reporter
A BEREAVED daughter from Barry whose mother received end-of-life care from Marie Curie nurses is calling on people to take part in the charity’s Light Up the Night campaign in the run-up to Christmas.
Jessie Marks’s mother Sharon was just 51 when she died at home in December last year following a terminal diagnosis of cancer of the lymph nodes two weeks earlier.
During those final weeks, Jessie supported her stepfather Kevin Tucker in looking after Sharon, and has praised Marie Curie for their support in allowing her mother to be at home: “Marie Curie came in only a couple of times in those two weeks, but they had such an impact.
“My mum was always very stubborn, if she didn’t want to do something, she was not doing it. But they were so understanding.
“Alison and the doctor were so lovely and treated her like she was a family member. My mum said they made her feel comfortable for those two weeks” she said.
Mother-of-one Jessie is asking people and businesses to support the campaign, which will be held on the shortest day, Tuesday 21st December, with the aim of turning it into the brightest night.
People and businesses who pledge £100 will receive a lantern which they can display at home in memory of their lost loved ones.
In addition, Marie Curie staff will add a lantern with the person’s message to their display at the Cardiff and Vale Hospice in Penarth.
Money raised will be used by the charity to support local families affected by terminal illness.
Jessie also praised the continued support she has received since her mother’s death, which has included regular phone calls for bereavement support.
On what would have been her mother’s 52nd birthday on 18th November, Jessie organised a “Nanny’s Day” in her memory to celebrate her life, and to help son Finley, 2, remember her: “Because we couldn’t have a normal funeral last December, we wanted to do this, especially for my little boy.
“We’ve raised around £2,100 so far and we’re going to make it an annual event. We’re also hoping to organise a walk in her memory in the summer” she said.
Speaking about Sharon, Jessie said her mother, who juggled three jobs for more than 10 years, was the ‘life and soul of the party’, but never knew how popular she was.
Jessie has now been sent a lantern for the Light Up the Night event, and said she was pleased to be able to mark the occasion in memory of her mother a year on, and during her favourite time of year.
She said: “My mother loved Christmas, her tree was always amazing. It’s something I will try to continue for my little boy in her memory.”
Jessie worked as a healthcare support worker for a number of years, but her experience with Marie Curie staff inspired her to train as a nurse: “I’ve worked in caring for years and years, and my mum always told me to go and be a nurse, but I always thought it was too much hassle, I had a little boy and didn’t think I had the time to do it.
“I knew my little boy wouldn’t be long going to school, so I enrolled on an Open University course, and I’ve done my first year. In January, I start at Cardiff University.
“I don’t want to be just a nurse I want to be a Marie Curie Nurse. I should have done it years ago, but this gave me the push” she said.
Pledges for the Light Up the Night campaign can be made via the Marie Curie website here.
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