A near-death experience led to a Dorset businessman making big decisions about giving back to society. Stephen Young, who owns the inherited title Lord of Westbury, underwent emergency lifesaving bowel surgery in 2012. Following recuperation and recovery he vowed to do as much as he could for local charities, and has subsequently become a Patron to a number of local causes.
His latest mission is to help raise awareness for the Forest Holme Hospice in Poole. Stephen said, “I am Forest Holme’s first official ambassador and hope that I can assist them in their fundraising efforts and profile raising. Like all hospices, the work they do for those with terminal illness and their families is truly inspiring and invaluable. Although Forest Holme is part of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the charity which supports it has to raise £2m of voluntary donations over the next three years to ensure that they can continue to be a centre of excellence for specialist end of life care.”
As well as funding equipment such as a new television for Lewis Manning Hospice, and making a donation to bring the Avro Vulcan to the Bournemouth Air Festival last year, Stephen believes that it is often the families and friends of terminally ill patients who equally need support.
This month he hosted his annual lunch for mothers who have lost a child to a life limiting illness, and an afternoon tea for terminally ill patients and their partners, and added; “Through my work with Julia’s House, it gives me enormous pleasure to host the ‘Mum’s lunch’ at Hotel Miramar. It gives bereaved parents the opportunity to have a luxurious treat in the company of others who have been on a similar journey. It’s gone down so well, and likewise I hope the afternoon tea for patients from Forest Holme will also become an annual event.”
Forest Holme’s hospice’s patients, together with a friend or partner enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea served in the Library at Hotel Miramar. Anne Currie, Charity Manager at Forest Holme Hospice added, “Working with people living with advanced cancer and other serious illnesses is about all aspects of palliative and supportive care. As well as enabling them to cope with their medical condition, the hospice teams tailor support to meet their psychological and spiritual needs as well.
We are immensely grateful to Stephen Young, Lord of Westbury for agreeing to back us as an ambassador for the charity, and for his personal generosity in providing this wonderful afternoon tea. Everyone has had a truly memorable time. Everything that anyone does to support Forest Holme, big or small, really makes a difference, and is much appreciated.”
To find out more about how you can help visit www.forestholmehospice.org.uk
Julie-Anne Houldey
