Family of popular Co Armagh nurse to walk from Portadown to Newry in her memory and raise funds for Evora Hospice
Raising money for Evora Hospice means so much to the family of the late Laura Hadaway that they have planned a fundraising walk from Portadown to Newry.
Married with 3 children, Laura was training to be a nurse at Craigavon Hospital when she sadly passed away after an incredibly hard fight with pancreatic cancer in March this year.
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A popular woman with a heart of gold, Laura was only 41 when she passed away. At her heart breaking funeral a letter she had written before she died was read to the congregation.
After paying tribute to her family, her letter said: “Celebrate the life we shared. Hug each other tighter. Forgive quicker. Say the things that matter while you can.”
Laura’s brother Neil Casey, a well known butcher in Lurgan, her sister Annmarie Seeley as well as Laura’s husband Michael and her children will be joined with other family and friends as they walk together from Portadown to Newry to raise vital funds for Evora Hospice.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page in order to help with fundraising for Evora Hospice and already they have raised more than £8,000.
It was Annmarie’s idea to walk from Portadown to Newry and everyone was fully supportive.
The GoFundMe page states: “She underwent a Whipple procedure, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and fought so bravely every step of the way. Laura later went into St John’s Hospice, Newry, where she was cared for with such compassion, dignity and kindness.
"Laura lived life her own way — full of love, strength, humour and kindness — and touched so many people throughout her life. In her own words, she wanted us to remember the laughs, the stories, the love we shared and to hold each other a little tighter. In her memory, we want to give back.
"On Sunday 16th August, we will be walking from Portadown to Evora Hospice in Newry in Laura’s memory while raising funds for Southern Area Hospice Services.
"The staff not only cared for Laura so beautifully, but also supported and accommodated her family, providing comfort, support services and family rooms during the hardest time in our lives.
"Hospice care relies heavily on donations to continue helping local families facing terminal illness, and every contribution — no matter how small — will help make a difference.
"Thank you for supporting us, remembering Laura, and helping us give back in her honour.”
Laura’s friend Wendy also spoke at her funeral revealing that her dream was to become a nurse. “She was well on her way to achieving it studying for her nursing degree through the Open University,” she said.
“It was absolutely devastating for her when the aggressive spread of her cancer forced her to make the heart breaking decision to medically retire, coming to terms with the fact she would never return to work or never be able to fulfil her lifelong dream. It broke her heart.
"But the truth is, Laura was already a nurse in our eyes,” she said.
Annmarie has her nurse’s uniform and certificate framed in her memory.
Evora Hospice, formerly Southern Area Hospice Services, helps patients with life-limiting conditions live well from diagnosis to end-of-life, providing care tailored to each person's unique needs, wishes, and quality of life.