Our fundraising initiative aimed at turning the community blue is back this month and bigger than ever!
#GoBlue encourages people to support their local hospice charity from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th March 2023.
Supporters may like to wear blue clothes, accessories or fancy dress; organise a blue-themed party or event; celebrate with colleagues at work by decorating the office in blue balloons and banners; or complete a challenge dressed in blue.
Money raised from the campaign will go towards providing free of charge care and services to families across North Derbyshire who are affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement.
Amelia Star Furness, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, features alongside Blythe Bear on posters to help promote #GoBlue.
Amelia was just four-years-old when her best friend, Kaiden tragically died of leukaemia and pneumonia, aged just seven. Within five weeks of Kaiden’s very sudden and devastating death, Amelia’s little sister, Kacie was born with severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.
Since then, Kacie (who is now six-years-old), has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and requires around-the-clock care.
These huge life changes were, quite understandably, a lot for Amelia to cope with. With support from Amelia’s primary school and the family’s social worker, Amelia, who is now 10-years-old, was referred to Blythe House for counselling and play therapy in summer 2022.
Amelia said: ‘Ray with the purple hair helped me with emotional support. My favourite thing when I was with her was doing crafts and activities. One time, we played with clay and we also made a memory box for Kaiden which I drew a wonky giraffe on. Giraffes were Kaiden’s favourite animal. On my last session, Ray gave me a huge giraffe teddy which I’ve called Kaiden.’
Raegan, Amelia’s mum, explained: ‘I have noticed a huge difference in Amelia’s behaviour since having the support from Blythe House. The counselling has helped Amelia to realise that sadly, forever is forever. That Kaiden isn’t going to come back and that Kacie is going to be poorly forever. By the third session, Amelia was jumping out of the car in the car park and running in to the hospice reception.
‘Amelia is lot calmer now; and is able to talk through things. Before, we weren’t able to discuss things without her getting upset, and she was so frightened of being with Kacie in case anything bad happened, but now she plays with her, and sings to Kacie for hours.’
Poppie Staden, digital marketing apprentice at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust, is undertaking a challenge to walk one million steps throughout March alongside her sister, Maisie, to raise funds for #GoBlue.
Poppie, from Buxton, explained: ‘The hospice supported our family in caring for our wonderful Grandad, Brian Staden, during the end of his life. The support and care they provided was incredible. From the Hospice at Home service, to providing bereavement support for our family.’
Other activities taking place for #GoBlue include:
All week
- Bike ride and bake sale at The Palace Hotel in Buxton
- #GoBlue display at Arden House Medical Practice in New Mills
- #GoBlue cake sale at Print Express in Buxton
- Friends of Buxton Station shining a blue light on the station’s fanlight window
- Tombola in the Blythe House and Helen’s Trust reception – tickets £1 each or seven for £5
Friday 24th March
- Pupils and staff at Hayfield Primary School are having a #GoBlue non-school uniform day
- #GoBlue display and information stall at Co-op in Matlock
- #GoBlue fancy dress and tombola at Nationwide in Matlock
Saturday 25th March
- Sportsman’s dinner with Ray Parlour, former Arsenal player, at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton
- #GoBlue tombola and raffle at Blythe House’s Buxton shop on Eagle Parade
