Our History

Rose, one of my closest friends died from a rare form of lung cancer in 2001. Karen, a younger friend who years before had been a babysitter for my two children passed away at the age of 27 two years later. Nicola, a friend I met through work died from cancer at only 21 in the same year as Karen.

Through sitting with both Karen and Nicola as their devastating illnesses progressed, I realised that they both had final wishes which I became determined to find a way for them to achieve. After spending many evenings trying to find an organisation which would help, I found a charity which granted last wishes for terminally ill adults up to the age of 40. With the consent of both Nicola and Karen we arranged for Karen to visit Scarborough with her mum, a place which had always been special to her and for Nicola to go, with her Aunt and her beloved pet dog, to the Lake District.

By organising this I realised that this was something that I wanted to do myself and with both Karen and Nicola we spent time discussing this idea. I had observed first hand the difference this made to the last few months of their tragically shortened lives and the comfort that their families gained from seeing them achieve these last wishes.

However, I could not help but feel the injustice that those over the age of 40 were not eligible. In particular I thought of Rose who had spent all of her adult life caring for others and who, at the age of 56, prior to diagnosis had begun to plan for her retirement with her husband, Dave. She became ill and sadly never got to do those things which she had put off for years, thinking, as many of us do that we will have time for ourselves when children grow up or when we retire.

It was this which made me determined to ensure that our Foundation would not impose an upper age limit, something which we feel strongly about and something which we believe makes us unique.

It was only after almost a year had passed that I felt able to begin the process of setting up the Foundation as a tribute to my three friends. I spoke to the families of Rose, Nicola and Karen and together we formed the committee of The HoneyRose Foundation. Since forming, we have already been able to arrange special days for several people and as awareness of the Foundation increases so has the number of applications that we are receiving. There are times when I don't seem to have enough hours in the day, but it is the knowledge that we are / doing something which I know makes a positive difference to the lives of terminally ill people and their families and it is the memory of my three very special friends that will ensure that we will continue to grow year on year.

Among my proudest moments have been watching our first applicant, a lady of 67 take her first ever trip in a helicopter, a longstanding ambition of hers, and recently when The HoneyRose Foundation was accepted as St Helen's Chamber of Commerce Business Club Charity for 2006. I know that without the help and generosity of many people we would not have achieved so much in such a short period of time and that with continued support we will go from strength to strength, helping many more achieve their wish.