Beyond Radio – Discuss The Charity & Opening Night

INTERVIEW: Family of much-loved Morecambe woman set up new charity in her name

Two of the charity trustee’s Mark & Kingsley discuss the opening night on local radio station ‘Beyond’

The family of a much-loved Morecambe woman who died after contracting Covid-19 have spoken about the new charity they have set up in her name.

The Karen Whitfield Foundation is named after care home manager Karen, who passed away aged 49 in January 2021.

The new charity will support Armed Forces Veterans and people with dementia, two causes close to Karen’s heart.

A gala dinner is being held at Morecambe Football Club on Saturday March 4 to launch the charity.

Karen’s husband Kingsley Whitfield and brother Mark Swindlehurst spoke to Beyond Radio about Karen and the charity.

Karen tested positive for Covid on New Year’s Eve 2020, during lockdown restrictions.

“She became very ill with it and was rushed into hospital very early January 2021,” said Mark.

“We never saw her again.

“It was devastating for the whole family.

“Karen was 49, she had everything to live for, she was the manager of a care home, she was very careful around Covid, but unfortunately she was a little bit under the weather and with Covid on top of the illness she had, it took her.

“She fought very bravely for 31 days but passed away on January 31 2021 which left us all absolutely heartbroken.

“We were very close and I miss her every single day, as we all do.

“Karen lived her life to the full, she was full of hope for the future. She loved her holidays, she loved music festivals, that was something we shared.

“She spent her whole life caring for others. That was her chosen profession when she was 16, and she never stopped learning or getting qualifications in care work. She worked in numerous care homes around the area.

“She was very protective over her residents. She was loved by lots and lots of people. 

“I also know that she would want us to carry on with a positive mindset with our lives.

“This is why Kingsley has worked really hard in setting up the charity.”

Mark and Kingsley are pictured below during their visit to the Beyond Radio studio.

Kingsley, who served for 24 years in the Armed Forces, said the charity was “something Karen spoke about”.

“She always wanted to set up a charity for veterans,” he said.

“So it was something I just had to do, to carry on her legacy.”

Around 160 people have bought tickets to the gala dinner at time of writing, and there are only limited seats still available.