When her friend Laura McQuillin died at St Luke’s in November 2024, one Sheffield woman found a simple but meaningful way to honour her memory - and in doing so, inspired a community of people to support hospice care.
Over the past year, “Laura’s Loaf” has raised more than £1,000 for St Luke’s through the most humble of ingredients: flour, salt and water.
What started as a way to comfort a friend during chemotherapy treatment became a year‑long act of remembrance, connection and kindness. Each week, a fresh sourdough loaf was baked and gifted in return for a donation to St Luke’s via Laura’s tribute page. Friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and even strangers joined together to support the project.
Laura was an Occupational Therapist at Ryegate Children’s Centre, where she spent fourteen years supporting children, young people and families. Known for her creativity, compassion and brilliant sense of humour, she was, in the words of her friend, “brave, beautiful, kind and generous… someone who could make you smile every day.”
When Laura’s health deteriorated, she expressed a wish for her final days to be spent somewhere peaceful, warm and welcoming - a place where family and friends could stay close, and where her home could remain a sanctuary, free from the equipment and reminders of illness. St Luke’s provided exactly that.
“On a journey that often felt without hope, St Luke’s gave Laura hope again,” her friend Jenny shared. “Laura was cared for with the same brilliance, creativity, respect and compassion that she gave to so many children and young people in her work.”
This support meant the world to Laura as well as her friends and family. From reception staff to the kitchen team, they describe an atmosphere of genuine warmth.
“Knowing Laura was not only comfortable and cared for, but known and seen for the beautiful person she was provided us all with a sense of security and relief,” continued Jenny. “I felt the warmth of the people and the place the minute I entered. There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t feel held.”
Jenny recalls a time when Tracey, from the Hospitality Team, described in detail the smoothie she could make for Laura.
“She patiently worked through Laura’s fears with her about the flavours, the volume and about how she would drink it: cool berries, tiny amounts and a straw. It wasn’t about the smoothie, it was Tracy’s ability to see Laura’s fear, and know her needs. It brought me comfort and peace because I knew my friend was as important to Tracy as she was to me.”
“And when I returned, months after Laura’s death, I was greeted with the same kindness, compassion, and an understanding for my grief. St Luke’s work didn’t stop when Laura died.”
During Laura’s illness, sourdough was something she could stomach after chemotherapy – with a buttered slice sometimes being all she could face. Baking her a weekly loaf provided her friend Jenny with purpose and moments of connection during a time of anticipatory grief.
After Laura’s death, carrying on the baking felt natural and Laura’s Loaf quickly grew into something far bigger than expected.
People shared stories of Laura as they collected bread, neighbours set up a WhatsApp group to place their weekend orders. The team at Unwrapped in Crookes gifted a week’s supply of flour and Jenny’s favourite recipe‑book author even made a donation after hearing the story.
Jenny (Left) running the Sheffield Half Marathon in Laura's memory
“It wasn’t about the bread,” Jenny said. “It was about the healing power of doing something positive, connecting with others, and keeping Laura’s memory alive.”
“Sourdough is made with a “starter”. You have to value, care for and feed your starter to keep going. Grief is the same - when I give it the time and attention it needs, it becomes less intense, and I can carry on.”
Through Laura’s Loaf, more than £1,000 has now been raised for St Luke’s. But even more meaningful are the countless conversations, connections and moments of kindness it created.
Laura’s Loaf shows that fundraising doesn’t have to be complex to make a difference. Sometimes, it’s the simplest ideas that can inspire generosity and keep memories alive in the most beautiful ways.
If you’re inspired by Laura’s story to support St Luke’s and do something in memory of someone special, visit: www.stlukeshospice.org.uk