Karen and Brian’s dedication to St Leonard’s Hospice

For almost 30 years, Karen and Brian have been at the heart of community fundraising for St Leonard’s Hospice, turning their enthusiasm into a cornerstone of village life in Riccall.

Karen first encountered the idea of hospice care in the early 1980s as a student nurse at York Hospital, when hospice care was still an emerging concept. Since then, she worked closely with Hospice@Home in her career, witnessing firsthand the difference compassionate care can make.

When Karen and Brian moved to Riccall in the 1990s, they joined an already active local group supporting St Leonard’s. Inspired by the village’s enthusiasm, they began opening their own back garden as part of the village’s summer open garden fundraising efforts. “Supporting the Hospice has become part of life in our local area,” Karen says. “The open gardens have meant the most, every June, usually with around 10 gardens taking part.”

Over the years, their fundraising efforts have been wonderfully varied. Village gardeners sell seedlings and fresh produce every Sunday morning at the Community Garden, while Brian has gone the extra mile and donned a Santa suit for local school and scout fundraisers. Winter open gardens with mince pies, craft fairs, sponsored walks in fancy dress, and even an It’s a Knockout on the Knavesmire are just a few examples of the energy and creativity they have poured into supporting St Leonard’s.

Their dedication has had tangible results. In one year alone, they raised £12,000, and over nearly three decades the Riccall Support Group donations have comfortably exceeded £100,000. Beyond the figures, it is the community spirit of neighbours working side by side and the shared enjoyment of supporting their local hospice that make their story so special.

Karen and Brian’s message is simple but powerful. “We’d encourage anyone to support the Hospice. They make a real difference to people in the community.”