Posted on: 13 Dec 2022
A special wildlife calendar has gone on sale in memory of a much-loved Nottingham hospital porter from Hayward House palliative care unit.
Noel Barke was a porter at Hayward House, at Nottingham City Hospital, for almost 25 years. He helped care for thousands of patients and family members over the years, and was known for his special ability to put patients at ease during what could be a difficult time.
Noel was extremely dedicated to Hayward House, always giving first-class patient care, and also supporting the centre’s fundraising endeavours through Nottingham Hospitals Charity.
Sadly, Noel passed away on 31st December 2020. Noel was a keen wildlife photographer, and after he passed away, colleagues decided to put together some of his photographs into a calendar, and sell copies to raise money for the Hayward House Appeal.
The first calendar, for 2022, sold out within days, raising over £10,000 for the Hayward House Appeal. The 2023 calendar, with a new range of photographs taken by Noel, is now on sale on Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s online shop.
All money raised will go towards the Hayward House Appeal, which aims to raise £1.5 million for enhancements to the palliative care unit, including improvements to the garden area, a more welcoming reception and waiting area, and an expansion of the centre’s research and training facilities.
Hayward House is a unique home-from-home environment, where patients with life-limiting illnesses, including those at the end of their life, are cared for by a team of staff trained in palliative care.
Noel’s partner Sally Bagguley, who is a complementary therapist at Hayward House, said that Noel would have loved the idea of his photographs being used to raise money for the unit.
Sally said: "Noel was so passionate about palliative care – he loved his job, and he did everything he could to support Hayward House. He ran two half marathons, and got involved in all the fundraising events at Hayward House, such as spring fairs and Christmas fairs.
“He was very humble about his photography skills, but he would be incredibly proud of the calendar. His two sons are both incredibly proud."
Louise Knight, Head of Fundraising at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so pleased to have worked with Sally to create this wildlife calendar in honour of Noel. He was a much-loved member of staff and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone, and we’re so glad to be able to help keep his memory alive in this way.
“The money raised through the sale of Noel’s calendar will help hundreds of families and patients with life-limiting illnesses at Hayward House, by helping us to provide a more welcoming and comfortable environment during their time here.”