Sisters step out in dad's memory (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Sisters step out in dad's memory
3:00pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Local By Simon Moss
Back, left to right: Lyndsey Jenkins with Cerys Kakkad, 10 months, Kathryn Smith, Pauline Jenkins and Becky Jenkins. Front: Amber Smith, five, and Isabella Smith, six
THREE sisters are taking on a series of charity events in honour of their dad, who died from asbestos-related cancer last year.
David Jenkins, from Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, passed away at the age of 54 after battling mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Lyndsey Jenkins, Rebecca Jenkins and Katherine Smith will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by walking 26 miles from Stonehenge to Avebury on July 16. They also intend holding a quiz night at Basingstoke Conservative Club.
David’s widow Pauline, 58, will also be joining them every step of the way.
Lyndsey, 29, said: “Dad worked as a joiner in Luton in the 1970s and was exposed to asbestos, as a lot of people would have been back then, but because it has such a long dormancy, it had only recently started to show itself.”
In 2010, the family learned of David’s illness and he passed away at St Michael’s Hospice less than 12 months later last March.
The family was so touched by the efforts of the Macmillan nurse – who they knew only as Maria – that they have decided to raise money for the charity for which she works.
Lyndsey said: “We found that hospital staff are nice and tell you what you need to know but Maria was very understanding. She knew what the family was going through and the emotional impact it was having. We believe every family going through an experience with cancer should have a Maria.”
Pauline still lives at the family home while Katherine, 28, and Rebecca, 24, live in South Ham and Winklebury respectively. Lyndsey has since moved to London where she works as a speech writer.
The quiz night, at the Conservative Club, in Bounty Road, will take place on Friday. To donate to their cause, visit justgiving.com/teambadgertrekathon.
