Dayle Kinch (pictured right with Matron Lisa Aston) was one of those people that made you smile, she had an energy and a sparkle that that you felt the minute you met her.

She worked in our hospitals for nearly 40 years – most of them based at the Horton General, and her love of talking meant that everyone knew her.

Four years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Through numerous operations and rounds of chemo and radiotherapy she kept working – and kept smiling.

And most of all she kept thinking of others.

Dayle rallied her family, friends and the local community in an ambitious fundraising campaign to help other local patients going through cancer – particularly those looked after at the Horton’s Brodey Centre.

She wanted to say thank you for the care she was receiving- which she described as ‘so personalised’, ‘really special’ and ‘with kindness throughout’ – fundraising was her thanking tool.

Over the last year Dayle and her ‘Brodey Bunch’ team raised an incredible £20,000 – they car booted, quizzed and climbed mountains together – making memories and raising money.

Their efforts meant the world to Dayle.

Dayle asked that the funds be used to buy two cooling caps for the unit. These are used during chemotherapy to help minimise hair loss, a side effect that can deeply affect cancer patients. She knew how important the psychological side of cancer was, and she wanted something tangible to help hundreds of patients.

Dayle passed away this July.

She knew how ill she was  - and even with that knowledge she continued to be thinking of others before herself.

Having raised so much for the Brodey Centre she wanted to do more.

Her sister in law, Chris told us: ‘Dayle worked as part of the Infection Control Team, where with proficiency, enthusiasm and dedication she provided outstanding care and service throughout. 

‘During the last 4 years Dayle lived gracefully and courageously with cancer and it was her wish that following on from the successful fundraising achieved for The Brodey Centre, that her family and friends continue with their quest to fundraise in her memory'.

‘Her wish was to fund extra training for the Infection Control Team to enable them to continue providing the high quality service that Dayle advocated’

You see, Dayle knew that the behind-the-scenes areas – like infection control – don’t tend to get many donations from the public. But she also knew how central they actually are to hospitals and how dedicated the teams who work in them are.

We think this is such a wonderful tribute to such an incredible lady.

Thank you Dayle – you are amazing.

To support Dayle’s last wishes visit:  www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daisiesfordayle