A terminally ill 48-year-old mother of two from Newton on Trent has smashed her fundraising goal for her children, to give them something to look forward to.
Sam Pickersgill was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and received treatment for her condition. Following a kick to the head from a horse in December 2021, Sam was brought in for a brain scan, which found progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease, limiting her life expectancy significantly.
Sam was referred to St Barnabas Hospice in January 2022 for psychological support and future planning to help her with the emotional difficulties and uncertainties that came with her diagnosis. Mary Hall, a specialist nurse practitioner and Katie Lyon, a health and rehabilitation support worker from St Barnabas, took over her wellbeing and care planning in April.
Sadly, in July 2022, after enjoying a family holiday to Lanzarote, Sam was given the dreadful news that the metastasis had progressed further in the brain and leptomeningeal and that she is at high risk of sudden death.
Mary says: “When I first met Sam at her home, she threw her arms around me. From that point, I’ve seen her each week and have built a supporting relationship with the whole family. I have loved learning more about Sam the secondary school teacher, 14-year-old Hattie’s love of horses and 10-year-old Dominic’s obsession with Real Madrid.
“Sam has invested a lot of time supporting others in her life, and I feel it’s a privilege to do something in return to help her and her loved ones during this difficult time. St Barnabas will be with Sam when and where she needs us. We cannot change the outcome, but we can make every day count until then.”
Sam is fundraising to give Hattie and Dominic something to look forward to. Sam’s health makes it difficult for her to know day-to-day how she is going to feel, so she’s hoping that the family can do something for the children during such a difficult time.
Sam says: “I want to give the children memories to treasure.”
Last week Sam started a GoFundMe, hoping to raise £1,000, but in just five days the total stands at £4,536! A fantastic result that keeps getting better as the days go on thanks to the generosity of the community.
On top of this, there have been offers from organisations and individuals to give Sam and her family a getaway holiday, as well as local equestrian centres offering Sam’s horse-obsessed daughter, Hattie, riding lessons. St Barnabas Hospice is also hoping to find an organisation that can help provide 10-year-old Dominic with a football experience.
Sam is a much-loved secondary school teacher, who has inspired thousands of people in her community through her work. Many of the people who have donated on her GoFundMe or have offered support via social media remember her fondly from their school days.
Former student Carly Young shares some memories of having Sam as a teacher: “In 2017 I moved schools to attend the Priory Witham Academy, where Sam was my Head of Year. We bonded from the get-go and Sam made me believe in myself.
“I have so many great memories from school with Sam, my favourite has to be on sports day when I ran the 100m for my tutor group. Sam was at the finish line shouting my name and as I ran I just wanted to make her proud. For coming first place, Sam gave me a big hug and told me how proud she was of me.
“She even took time to write a reference for my university application, and bearing in mind it was the Christmas holidays she did it for me during her time off! I’m now going to be attending university to study mental health in September and that is all because of her showing me how to believe in myself.
“She wasn’t just my teacher, she saved my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Sam, I’ll always look at the moon for you.”
If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to.
Additionally, if you would like to support St Barnabas Hospice to find ways to treat Dominic with anything football or Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.
