David's story

David Jones and his wife, Judith, are opening their amazing garden in July to raise money for St Leonard’s. This is the first time they have done an Open Garden for the charity that is close to David’s heart.

As a Specialist Adviser to St Leonard’s, David’s link with the Hospice started more than 40 years ago with the Selby Lions. They were one of the first organisations to give money to the HURRAH campaign (Help Us Rapidly Raise Money for a Hospice). Since then and through organising the Great Selby Bike Ride he has helped to raise more than £30,000 for St Leonard’s.

Why he got involved is personal. His dad died of cancer when he was 10. David says: “He had throat cancer and there were no such things as hospices then. He had to travel from St Anne’s in Lancashire to Christies in Manchester on his own to get support and that stuck in my mind.”

Now David is a much-loved face in our fundraising office, supporting the Moonlight Walk, Wolds Walk, Plant Sale and playing a very important part in our Light Up a Life service at Selby Abbey.

As David says: “St Leonard’s means somewhere people go to be cared for whether they have money or not. Patients and families are looked after and not many places can do that.

“For me it is the atmosphere. As soon as you walk in the door you feel it is a lovely and superb place.”

David’s Open Garden takes place on Sunday 6 July 2025 from 11am to 5pm at 21 Great Close, Cawood, Selby, YO8 3UG.