Filomena Simpson, a spirited 92-year-old, previously a carer herself for elderly patients, is still putting others first. Filomena, of West Monkton, had until recently owned an electric bicycle to get out and about around town. Her family now felt it was appropriate to change to a new mode of transport, having had two electric bikes in succession.
Filomena, thinking of others, discussed the bicycle with friend, Dianne Besley. Dianne suggested that rather than give it away, she would sell the nearly new, electric bike for her then Filomena could give the proceeds to a charity that meant a lot to her.
Originally from Italy, Filomena’s husband, Gordon, had been treated at St Margaret’s Hospice 25 years earlier. She had a very good experience when he was there: “It was a difficult time for us but everyone, particularly the nurses, were a lifeline to us before Gordon passed. We couldn’t have asked for better care clinically and emotionally if we’d tried”, and therefore it was an easy decision to donate the money to the hospice.
I’ve always been in the caring and health service, looking after older people, so St Margaret’s couldn’t be a more appropriate charity. I had no idea that the bike would fetch so much, and I felt £600 could make a real difference to people within the hospice.Filomena
Dianne attended the cheque presentation with Filomena at St Margaret’s saying “I’ve known her for years. Filomena is quite a character! She attends a Singles Club that I set up over 20 years ago for elderly people who live on their own and want to socialise. I persuaded her not to give the bike away but instead raise some money for a charity but didn’t know until we came to bring the cheque into St Margaret’s that her husband had died at the hospice in Taunton. It is a lovely gesture, Filomena, as always is happy to be helping others”.
Filomena was delighted to hand over the £600 cheque at the Taunton hospice on Heron Drive in June. David Jones, Community Fundraiser, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the hospice said, “We are so grateful for any donation that comes to the hospice, as every penny goes towards us being able to help more people in Somerset who are living with a life-limiting condition. When Filomena arrived and shared with us the details of how she raised the money we were blown away by her generosity. The money she has donated could pay for 5 sessions of physiotherapy or a tailored course of complimentary therapy, which in turn could help another individual build up the strength to get back on their bike!”