To celebrate its 40th birthday and in honour of its British-Jamaican founder, the late Pam Macpherson, The Hospice of St Francis is to host a special Caribbean-style barbecue.
The event, which is open to all, will take place in the historic Oak Suite and garden of the Aubrey Park Hotel in Redbourn on Sunday 11th August from 2-6pm and Special Guest of Honour will be Baroness Doreen Lawrence, OBE, a British-Jamaican campaigner and founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
The family-friendly barbecue was the inspiration of long-time Hospice supporter, Hospice Campaign Patron and Ambassador, Linda Haye, DL, OBE, herself Jamaican-born and someone who has advocated powerfully for the importance of Hospice care for all in her networks since she became involved with the Berkhamsted-based charity in 2003.
“One of my great passions and something I have committed most of my working life to is bringing communities together and engaging with communities across cultural boundaries,” explained Linda.
“This special Caribbean-style barbecue is about celebrating the Hospice’s milestone 40th birthday and the significant role that Pam Macpherson played in bringing about The Hospice of St Francis, but it’s also about ensuring that Pam’s memory and her remarkable legacy of a free Hospice accessible to all should continue.
“I hope everyone will come and we can celebrate together the importance and significance of The Hospice of St Francis and its continued work to help people across West Herts and South Bucks to live their precious lives well.”
Hospice CEO, Kate Phipps-Wiltshire, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Pam’s legacy – her humanity, faith, expertise, detailed attention, tireless communication and irresistible call to action, which are part of the DNA of The Hospice of St Francis.
“Trebly qualified in nursing, law and social work, Pam was a powerhouse who worked tirelessly for the Hospice for more than 30 years. She spoke openly about the reality of terminal illness, that it was “no respecter of age, race or sex” and that the Hospice was for everyone and this is still the case today.”
Pam sadly died in September 2016, aged 89, but her three daughters Meg, Steph and Robin will be at the barbecue with their families, honouring their mother’s memory, together with representatives from across the community, including the Afro-Caribbean Association, The Bishop of St Albans and St Paul’s Church in St Albans.
The ticket price (£25 for adults; £10 for children aged 5-15) includes a three-course barbecue, welcome drink, live music, entertainment and a raffle. Under-fives enter free. For more information or to book tickets, visit stfrancis.org.uk/bbq .
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