IT’S not every day you see a pink unicorn on the streets of Sheffield…and certainly not a pink unicorn on horseback!
But our patients and staff enjoyed an unexpected encounter with the quartet of mythical beasts when rider Jade Haley and her friends embarked on an unusual fundraising adventure.
Jade’s mum Debbie was a St Luke's patient and it was in tribute to her that Jade and her equestrian friends set off on the fundraising ride from Borderview Farm in Bradway to St Luke's, with the intention of raising almost £2,000 for our services.
Accompanying the riders was Debbie’s husband Jim, who explained: “This is what Debbie wanted us to do.
“The thought of doing something for St Luke’s is the only thing that kept her going and now it’s keeping me and Jade going too.
“Debbie said that St Luke’s was the only place where she felt safe and secure and somewhere where she knew she could be free of pain and at peace so taking up this challenge is giving us the chance to give something back.”
Supporting the fundraising campaign are Jim’s colleague’s at city transport company First, who have been selling pink ribbons to boost the campaign.
There has also been major support from friends and colleagues at Lowedges Primary School, where 51-year-old Debbie worked as a teaching assistant.
“Pink was Debbie’s favourite colour and it seemed absolutely right that two of our unicorns should be pink,” said Jim.
“I know Debbie would have been delighted that people have raised so much in her memory and that their efforts will now help other people.”