TWO Barnard Castle women have been honoured for three decades of service to the region’s oldest hospice.
Kathleen Cosgrove and Margaret Harley have been volunteers with St Teresa’s Hospice since it was started in the town during the mid-1980s.
Sadly the charity’s shop behind The Witham closed this spring, but the two women who helped keep it running for 30 years have been thanked for their contribution during a special event at St Teresa’s Hospice, in Darlington.
Ms Cosgrove said: “It started out at Galgate in a little shop. In those days Rex Lowson was involved in it as well.
“He was the matron up at Richardson Hospital and he started us locals. Then it branched out to Darlington.
“I would pop in when I could. We all did our turn. There was quite a rota with many people on it.
“A lot of people thought we were salaried. We were never salaried – that wasn’t what it was about. We volunteered.
“I was widowed quite young so it gave me a life really.”
Ms Harley added: “The first I heard about it was a notice in the library. This was before there was a hospice in the area at all. We had various fundraising events in the street and we had a special evening at the workingman’s club in Cockfield. They gave us a lot of money – they were very generous.”
Rex Lowson, the first male matron in the North of England and former head of Richardson Hospital, was a driving force behind the creation of the hospice.
The women who helped him get it started were awarded certificates by Dr Harry Byrne, chairman of the charity’s board of trustees, in recognition of their dedication.
Chief executive of St Teresa’s Hospice Jane Bradshaw said: “Kath is a St Teresa’s veteran, starting 30 years ago with some friends by simply taking in donations, sorting and selling them in a little shop in Barnard Castle to raise some much needed funds for the hospice.
“She has seen many people come and go during her years with us and has supported St Teresa’s with a force second to none. Margaret was one of the first volunteers who, along with Kath and her friends, fundraised to help get the hospice started.
“Since January 1, 1987, to it closing recently, she has given unstinting support to the Barnard Castle Shop and has been a strong supporter of the hospice, ensuring that she spread the word about our services.”
