Hospice supporter John lives on through family's goodwill

The memory of one of Louth and District Hospice's biggest supporters, John Alfred Durkin, has been honoured by his family continuing to raise funds for this local cause.
John's partner Barbara Robinson-Tester and daughter Laura Allen present their donation to Louth and District Hospice Charity Administrator, Bev Petchell.John's partner Barbara Robinson-Tester and daughter Laura Allen present their donation to Louth and District Hospice Charity Administrator, Bev Petchell.
John's partner Barbara Robinson-Tester and daughter Laura Allen present their donation to Louth and District Hospice Charity Administrator, Bev Petchell.

John, who died last year, was invited onto the Louth and District Hospice 
committee in 2001.

He sat alongside Dr’s Staunton, Ferguson and 
Cook, as well as Doreen Stephenson, and immediately set about fundraising for this fledgling charity, by organising art 
exhibitions and selling his prints and art work 
through local outlets.

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He was very proud to be associated with such a worthwhile local charity and, since his passing in January 2015, his family came up with the idea of selling his remaining prints and
donating the proceeds.

John’s artwork was made available on eBay and through a Facebook group, set up by his step-daughter Laura Allen, who also 
acknowledges Helen Grant’s H & J Arts & Crafts of Mercer Row, as well as 
John Faraday at Louth Post Office, where other 
sales were achieved.

The total raised was over £3000, and this figure was divided between Louth and District Hospice and 
The Macmillan fund.

Doreen Stephenson recalled many occasions when John worked tremendously hard for Louth and District Hospice, not just as a fundraiser but as a conscientious individual, contributing ideas to 
the plans for the future provision of 
palliative care in 
Louth and surrounding 
towns and villages.

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Doreen said: “The family’s decision to donate £1572.15 to our funds, from the sale of John’s wonderful art, just reminds us all of his commitment to 
local causes, and serves as recognition of his hard 
work over the years.

“We were very sad to hear of John’s passing, 
but we are very grateful to his family for honouring his memory with this 
donation.”

If you would like to find out more about the Louth and District Hospice, or wish to become 
a volunteer or help 
to raise funds, visit 
www.louth-hospice.co.uk 
or call 01507 354545.