Last year over 60 local businesses, organisations and families got involved, each donating anywhere from £300 to £1,500 to sponsor a star, and in the process raising over £40,000, which has been reinvested into patient care, treatment and facilities at the Trust.
The Cross family decided to sponsor a star to say ‘thank you’ to the staff who cared for their mum throughout the festive period last year, and, sadly, this year they will be sponsoring the star in her memory.
Karen Cross was a much-loved mother, wife, ‘nanny’, sister, and daughter who sadly passed away from COVID-19 on Boxing Day 2020.
She worked at King & Miller in Retford for over 30 years and was very much a part of the fixtures and fittings of the pub, and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Sarah Dunning, one of Karen’s daughters said: “Over the years my mum had a number of major surgeries which have often crept back causing more health issues for her. It was around November last year and mum told me that she had been sick and wasn’t feeling well.”
Karen spent a week at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where she received treatment for an infection in her bowel. She was later discharged when the infection had cleared but was due to return for extra tests.
Sarah continues: “Before mum returned back into hospital, she had to have a COVID-19 test and it was from this test we found out she had tested positive. Two nights later she was rushed to Bassetlaw Hospital where she spent around six weeks receiving treatment on the Respiratory Ward and Ward B5. At first, we thought she was just being treated for coronavirus, but it soon came to light that the infection in her bowel had returned but this time it was more serious.
“After around four weeks of Mum being in hospital, she was no longer testing positive for COVID-19 and we were called in to be with her. I sat and heard Mum’s surgeon tell our family that there was nothing more they could do for her – I still hear that conversation over and over in my head every day. The impact of COVID-19 on her chest and the amount of scar tissue she had in her stomach from previous operations, coupled with the infection, meant that mum just wouldn’t survive the major surgery she needed.
“I was out doing some Christmas shopping for my mum when I received a call from what I thought was her, but it turned out to be the nurse ringing from her mobile asking us to come in as it might be time. That night I was terrified to leave my mum and was kindly given permission to stay with her. I spent the night watching over her, pulling her oxygen mask up every time it slipped off and just holding her hand. I also watched as the nurses and health care assistants cared for her all through the night and I have nothing but admiration for them.
“Mum sadly passed away on Boxing Day, having enjoyed one final Christmas day with her family. I hesitated to go in her room as I wasn’t sure I wanted to see her like that but I’m glad I did. She looked so peaceful, almost healthy again and like my mum.
“Every time we visited my mum at that time, the Christmas stars were always shining on the hospital buildings and they bought so much comfort making that visit that little bit easier. My mum adored her grandchildren and great nephews and having to tell young children, especially toddlers that she had passed away was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We decided to tell them that Nanny is now the brightest star in the sky so continuing to sponsor a star in her memory just feels the right thing to do”.
As a thank you for the care Karen received, the family have taken part in various fundraising activities including the Christmas Stars campaign last year and the Captain Tom Challenge where they collectively walked over 100 miles and have raised over £1,000 for the hospital charity.
Sarah said: “Having had the opportunity to first-hand see the amazing care all of the staff at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals provide, this is the least we can do to do our bit to say thank you.”
To help raise funds, the family will be doing a raffle and have setup a JustGiving page to raise funds online in Karen’s memory.
There are limited numbers of stars left to sponsor for this year’s campaign and the hospital charity is hopeful to see all 70 stars shining proudly once again across their hospital sites. Packages start from £300 to £1,500 and there are additional benefits for businesses who sponsor a star.
If you would like to help the Cross family sponsor their star, you can donate via their Just Giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/KarensChristmasStar
To get more information about the stars, please complete the reservation form online here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/7F8WBCNAB7/GMPMV
Or email dbth.charity@nhs.net