Joe's story
25 Year Anniversary Stories
“When we started Right Choice Mortgages back in 2018 we knew we wanted to help a local charity. Rotherham Hospice was always going to be the place”.
In less than three years since they began their journey, Right Choice Mortgages have raised over £10,000 for Rotherham Hospice. And that’s not all… they’ve donated Easter Eggs at Easter, Joe’s sister Holly surprised us by arriving with ice lollies during last summer’s heatwave, they’ve helped to promote our events, and they’ve even donated two Rotherham United season tickets to our patients and families! Their support over the past few years has been invaluable.
Joe, Right Choice Mortgages’ Managing Director, first came into contact with the Hospice back in 1998 at the age of 10 when his dad, Norman, was looked after following his cancer diagnosis. Norman was one of the first patients to use the inpatient facility and even appeared in the local paper with his MacMillan nurse Karen.
Norman sadly passed away in 1999.
In the years that followed, Joe’s mum and sisters raised money for the Hospice and took part in our annual Lights of Love appeal every Christmas time. In 2008 tragedy struck again as Joe’s mum Geraldine was diagnosed with cancer.
Geraldine was cared for by Rotherham Hospice, staying in our Edelweiss Room. The room overlooks Herringthorpe playing fields, which Joe remembers with fondness along with the time spent at the Hospice;
“If you’re going to go anywhere at the end of life, this is the place you’d want to go”.
The café at the Hospice also holds a spot in Joe’s memory of that time… especially for the Burritos (his Mum rang him to tell him about how lovely they were). And none of it, from the inpatient unit to the café and beyond, could be possible without our wonderful volunteers.
“When you find out so many people who work at the Hospice are volunteers, it’s just amazing. They’d often sit with mum and just natter. It’s lovely to know that when I was working, there’s someone there to keep mum company, so she was not alone”.
In the years that have passed, Right Choice Mortgages have been busy challenging themselves by taking part in the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge and conquering it in under 12 hours:
“We absolutely loved the 3 Peaks. We’d encourage anyone to do it, for the experience!” Joe says.
They’re currently considering a new challenge, possibly a trek in a far-off land, to raise as much sponsorship as possible for Rotherham Hospice. Keep a lookout on our website and on social media for their next big fundraising adventure!
Joe finishes by summarising his experience of Rotherham Hospice over the years; “We’re so lucky to have something like this on our doorstep. It isn’t something that should be taken for granted – ever.”
For their kind words, and their spectacular fundraising over the years that continues to allow the Hospice to provide our services across Rotherham even in these most challenging of times, we thank Joe and Right Choice Mortgages, and look forward to seeing them at events in the future when we’re all free to meet up and fundraise together once again!
How can you help?
There are many ways you can support us, whether it be through holding an event, playing in our lottery, volunteering, or donating!
