Dad is lighting up a life for Georgia

Harry Finlayson’s daughter Georgia was just 13-years-old when she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and given only months to live.

Her family were devastated and vowed to make the most of the time she had left.

Harry said: “As Georgia’s illness progressed and she became unable to get around we were told about Bluebell Wood. After our first visit we knew this was a place that we would much rather be than a hospital.”

“Without Bluebell Wood, Georgia and all her family would not have been able to cope as well as we did. Georgia would always ask if she could stay there and to us and our family and friends it was a place that we could relax, have fun and live as you would at home.”

Harry said that everyone from the chief executive to the cooks, cleaners and gardeners were all ‘exceptional, professional, kind and caring’ during Georgia’s time there.

“We classed the hospice as one big happy family – that’s why I’m honoured to have been asked to launch this year’s Light up a Life campaign for Bluebell Wood as it will always have a special place in our hearts,” he added.

Harry will be making a donation to Bluebell Wood and Lighting up a Life for Georgia, and is encouraging people to join him in remembering someone close to them in this special way.

Helen Mower, Bluebell Wood’s head of fundraising, said: “Our Light up a Life campaign is a lovely way to remember someone special at Christmas time.”

This year’s donations will be used to enhance to hospice’s new remembrance garden. It was developed by Alan Titchmarsh earlier this year as a place for families to relax and reflect.

The person being remembered doesn’t have to have been cared for at the hospice, and all dedications will go into a book that can be viewed at the hospice or on the website from 15th December to twelfth night.

Visit www.bluebellwood.org/light-up-a-life.php or call 01909 517360 for more details or to make a dedication.