Martin House Children’s Hospice, based in Boston Spa, successfully hosted its first-ever Ladies Lunch at Hazlewood Castle on April 25th, raising an impressive £27,700. The event brought together over 200 guests for a spring-themed afternoon featuring a drinks reception, a two-course lunch, and talks from inspiring women, including Rachel Peru, body confidence advocate and midlife influencer.
The generous donations raised at the event will support the hospice in continuing to provide vital care for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, offering respite and end-of-life care.
During the event, Caroline Lambert shared her personal story about her daughter Evelyn’s journey with life-threatening conditions, highlighting the invaluable support Martin House provided to her family.
“While still in hospital, we were introduced to some of the Martin House doctors, they referred us immediately and gave us hope that whatever the future looked like, we weren’t going to have to cope alone,” said Caroline.
“We had two overnight stays at Martin House, the first was planned, a chance to simply enjoy cuddles and family time. The second visit was a Symptom Control Stay, and we used this when Evelyn’s seizures and dystonia escalated beyond what we could manage at home.
“As parents, it is mentally exhausting to be responsible for making the decisions of when these drugs are necessary. The Symptom Control Stay allowed doctors to make changes to Evelyn’s medication whilst avoiding long hospital admissions where our family would have been split across multiple locations.
“Martin House has become invaluable in my life and has supported my family in lots of different ways,” she added.
The luncheon was not only a celebration of community spirit but also featured fun fundraising activities, including games, pampering sessions by Clarins, and a charity auction. Prizes included a weekend break at Hazlewood Castle and a Champagne afternoon tea at Wood Hall, ensuring a lively atmosphere for guests.
Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive at Martin House, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors and the inspiring women who attended the lunch. This event not only brought vital funds but also demonstrated the incredible impact we can make when our community comes together.”
To support Martin House and stay updated on upcoming events, visit their website at www.martinhouse.org.uk/get-involved.
