Dunsland Dolls walk for Priscilla

For the last 30 years, Priscilla Coombs (84) has been a loyal supporter and friend of The Hospice of St Francis. Initially Priscilla, one of the founder members of the Hospice in 1979, worked as a nurse at the old site and then went on to become a much valued volunteer.

Priscilla has always been a keen walker, so when the Hospice announced their first ever ‘Walk with the Stars’ midnight walk last year, Priscilla was one of the first ladies to register for it. However, things didn’t work out as planned. Whilst walking in Scotland, Priscilla suffered a nasty fall and was hospitalised. She realised she wouldn’t be able to take part in the event and this was confirmed over the coming months, when she suffered subsequent falls.

After making the agonising decision to leave her Berkhamsted home and move to Dunsland House Residential Care Home, she decided that if she couldn’t do the walk this year then she would persuade the staff to walk it instead! So far, Priscilla has recruited five ‘Dunsland Dolls’ and is working on the remaining female members of staff.

“We are so pleased that Priscilla is here with us at Dunsland House” says manager, Catherine Webb, “She is such a remarkable lady and has really livened the place up. The staff are delighted to be supporting the Hospice, and we are all so proud to be walking for Priscilla.”

Event organiser, Fran Martin, who for the last six years, has had the pleasure of working with Priscilla, is impressed with her recruiting technique. “Priscilla is indeed, very special. For years she has dedicated her time to helping others and even though she’s had to give up her volunteering role here at the Hospice, she continues to support us in many other ways. Despite the fact that she is unable to participate in our event, she is still very much one of our Hospice Stars!”

Priscilla intends to come along and support the ‘Dunsland Dolls’ at Berkhamsted Sportspace, (the half way point) around 2.00am. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world” she says.

If you would like to join the girls and ‘Walk with the Stars’ on Saturday 21st June, visit www.wwts.org.uk to download a registration form or call the fundraising office on 01442 869555. Limited spaces available.