THE daughter of a Barnsley woman who died of rabies earlier this year is set to host a special Christmas meal for some of the town’s most vulnerable residents in memory of her mum.
Following contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco in February, 59-year-old Yvonne Ford, from Redbrook, was diagnosed with the rare virus at Barnsley Hospital.
She was then treated at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and died four months after the incident.
Yvonne’s death left a hole in her family and her daughter, 32-year-old Robyn Thomson, from Barugh Green, told the Chronicle that the pain she has suffered is ‘unimaginable’.
But since her mum’s death, Robyn and the family have thrown themselves into helping others in a bid to turn a negative into a positive and cement Yvonne’s legacy.
And on December 20, what would have been her 60th birthday, the family will host a free three-course Christmas meal at the Courtyard Cafe in the town centre for 60 residents who may otherwise spend the festive period alone.
Robyn told the Chronicle: “This is something that she always wanted to do.
“She wanted to help people who were a little bit more vulnerable and not as fortunate.
“We’ve decided for her birthday this year, because we can’t give gifts to my mum, we want to do something in her memory.
“We’ve been in contact with Age UK and we’re going to do a Christmas meal for 60 people for my mum’s 60th birthday.
“We can’t celebrate my mum on that day but we can celebrate in her memory and that’s what we’ll keep on doing.
“We’re going to carry on doing the things that she wanted to do.
“It’s just about taking something positive from something so rubbish.”
She recently travelled to Cambodia with Mission Rabies in a bid to try and eradicate the disease.
Over a two-week mission, more than 220,000 dogs were vaccinated and Robyn - along with her husband Andrew - vaccinated around 1,000 dogs between themselves.
She said: “It was incredible - we had such an amazing experience.
“We’re going to do it again next year with the charity.
“But it was so incredible to be surrounded by so many people who wanted the same outcome - to eradicate rabies.
“It was a great experience.
“Between the two of us we vaccinated 1,000 dogs.
“It was overwhelming because you’re helping so many people, but so many animals as well.”
Robyn and her family’s fundraising and awareness work culminated in them receiving a Proud of Barnsley award in the Triumph Over Adversity Category at last month’s special show at the Metrodome.
She said: “It was a really, really nice experience.
“It was obviously very emotional.
“It was just great to be involved and included.
“To hear so many inspiring stories was amazing.
“And Dr Diarmuid Kerrin who I work closely with on my ward won the special award which was really nice.”
