turn their backs on it, they are afraid of it, but the children’s hospice helps families for years afterwards and that helps them to move on, which you’ve got to do.
‘After Peter died a doctor asked me if I would go and see a family who had lost a daughter to cancer. I did and I joined a group called Families in Grief. I used to go out and see families that had lost children and it’s amazing how deep the hurt goes, and they often need somebody to talk to.’ Over the years, Liz and her team have organised countless fundraisers including annual favourites such as the Dickens of a Christmas Fair in the Old Market, Easter bonnet parades, Dartmouth Art Weekend, Pancake Day races around the Boatfloat and the Posh Nosh regatta food fiesta in Bayard’s Cove Fort which has played host to several passing celebrities, not least actor Ricky Tomlinson and BBC broadcaster Andrew Marr. The biggest star Liz has crossed paths with, and managed to elicit a promise of hospice support, was the Oscar-winning Dame Judi Dench.
Liz explained: ‘It was a filthy
day, raining and cold. Phil and I were sitting at home eating sausage and mash at the table when I saw somebody go past the window. I said to Phil “that was Judi Dench” so he went outside. She looked round and said to Phil “I am who you think I am but I’m looking for a toilet for my little grandson, Sam.”
she sent me a parcel and in it was a costume she wore as M in the James Bond movie, Golden Eye
Eliza Price 72x107mm Advert 15/3/10 10:02 Page 1
‘Phil said he could offer her our toilet and she came in, soaking wet and dripping. She’s a lovely lady, just as she is, there’s no side to her at all. Her grandson Sam went to the loo and she had a drink. She asked me what I did and I told her about the children’s hospice and she said if you phone my secretary I will organise something to come to you that you can raise funds with. ‘So I phoned her secretary and she sent me a parcel and in it was a costume she wore as M in the James
Bond movie, Golden Eye. It was a pale blue jacket and skirt and it came with a letter she had written to au- thenticate it. We auctioned it and got quite a lot of money for it. You can’t measure kindness like that.’ Embarking on her octogenarian years and suffering from Parkinson’s Disease hasn’t stopped community- minded Liz from being a busy bee. Like a guardian angel, she qui- etly spends her time helping others, whether it be volunteering at the Parent and Toddler group at Townstal Baptist Church three times a week, visiting patients at Dartmouth Hospital or walk- ing dogs for those who are unable to do so. And she is just about to help launch a new group at the Baptist Church for young mothers. ‘I’ve always liked helping people,’ she said. It’s a family trait I think. My eldest brother lives on a boat in Worcestershire and he’s left everything, including his house, to Action Aid. I think it’s what makes life worthwhile. Life is made of memories and if they are good and positive it makes it easier getting old.’•
Bespoke curtains,
blinds and soft furnishings From design to completion
we offer a total made to measure and fitting service
tel.01803 752397 / 07721 882639
e.enquiries@elizaprice.co.uk
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