Local businesses moving gesture in memory of kind-hearted Sheffield teenager

14th January 2022

A local business is helping children and families at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice make memories they’ll always treasure thanks to a kind-hearted gesture in memory of a Sheffield teenager who spent his final moments at the hospice.

A local business is helping children and families at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice make memories they’ll always treasure thanks to a kind-hearted gesture in memory of a Sheffield teenager who spent his final moments at the hospice.

Graham Jenkins -  Director at family-run Cosmetic Repair Solutions which has branches in Chesterfield and Rotherham - rallied his team who dug deep to buy an array of items from the charity’s ‘Amazon wish-list’ which is packed full of gifts that can be enjoyed by children and families at the hospice. 

Their efforts were further bolstered by Graham’s wife Leanne’s business Le Petite Boutique Babywear which also donated gifts and raised funds for Bluebell Wood with the help of their daughter, Daisy.

Bluebell Wood is a charity close to the hearts of those at both businesses, with staff member David Winterbottom and his family saying their devastating goodbyes to his son Reece at the hospice following a courageous battle with a recurring brain tumour.

David, from Sheffield, has since raised thousands of pounds for the charity where avid Sheffield United fan Reece (16) spent much of the last four months of his life in 2020.

“Reece was a very loving, caring and polite person who never had a bad word to say about anyone,” said David.

“He was one of those people who would do anything for anyone, no matter what he might have been going through at the time.

“Our time at Bluebell Wood as a family was just amazing, they couldn’t do enough for us and the care for Reece was impeccable. Everyone – every single member of staff – was just brilliant.

“You don’t have to want for anything. Meals, washing up – you name it, it’s all taken care of.

“He really picked up while we were at the hospice, and even starting to walk around using his frame. He really loved it at Bluebell Wood. He’d go off to the cinema room, watch Sky Sports on the telly or take a walk around the gardens.”

“It meant everything to have that time together at Bluebell Wood – and I don’t know how we would have coped after we lost him without all the care and support.

“I really can’t put it into words how much of an amazing place it is.”

Since saying goodbye to Reece, the family continue to use hospice services such as bereavement counselling and sibling support.

Shannon Gossage, Regional Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said:

“It was our honour to be there for Reece and his family in those final months of his life, and David’s kind words and support ever since have been truly humbling.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Graham, the team at Cosmetic Repair Solutions and to David and his family for their support and generosity.

“Thanks to your kindness, we can help local families going through the toughest times imaginable make memories that will last a lifetime.”