Tributes have been paid to a mum who helped set up the Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice when she couldn’t find care for her son.
Back in 1998, exhausted by the struggle to find the support that her son Russell needed locally, Linda Senior created the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust.
With her friends, Linda, of Ainley Top, started a campaign to raise funds to provide specialist hospice care and respite services for children and families in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
They would go on to raise enough funds to build the children’s hospice, Russell House, named after her son who had inspired it all.
Since then, millions of pounds have been raised by the local community to help thousands of children, parents, siblings and other family members who, just like Linda, needed the support of a local children’s hospice.
News of Linda’s death was revealed last week and Forget Me Not’s chief executive Luen Thompson said: “This is very sad news and our thoughts are with Russell and his brother Tom.
“Without Linda’s drive and determination, Forget Me Not simply wouldn’t be here. Many families would have to live with or face the loss of their child alone without the support they need and deserve.
“Thanks to Linda, families across West Yorkshire can find a place of comfort, sanctuary and support at Russell House.
“Here they will find the clinical and respite care, the therapy and counselling, the activities and amazing facilities that Linda fought so hard for. That’s an incredible legacy to leave for local children and families.”
Tributes to Linda poured into Forget Me Not’s Facebook page with people remembering Linda’s passion and commitment to her cause as well as her dedication to her sons.
“A force to be reckoned with,” said one comment. “What a wonderful legacy she leaves,” said another.
“I met Linda 20 years ago and she was so full of passion to get the hospice in Huddersfield,” said another tribute. “A unique and inspiring woman, an amazing mum.”
READ MORE: A time capsule was buried at the hospice last year to mark its 10th anniversary
