Britain’s Fittest Farmer shares how Staffordshire hospice helped dad spend final Christmas at home
Emily Meakin was recently crowned Britain’s Fittest Farmer - in the Women Under 40 category - at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog. This month, she is supporting Katharine House Hospice’s Care this Christmas appeal by sharing how the Stafford charity helped her dad, John, spend his final Christmas at home with his family.
When Staffordshire farmer John Meakin was diagnosed with cancer, his daughters, Emily and Isobelle, were determined that he should spend his final Christmas in the place he loved most – the family’s Far Coley Farm in Little Haywood.
Emily explains that with the support of Katharine House Hospice, her dad’s wish became a reality. Help from the Hospice at Home and Palliative Care Nurse Specialist teams meant John could stay at home surrounded by his family and the land he loved.
“Katharine House Hospice helped us in so many ways,” Emily said.
“Dad was able to have a hospital bed next to the Aga in the farmhouse, where it was warm, cosy, and often full of visitors.
“Christmas Day was brilliant – the hospice made sure we had his medicines stocked up and arranged night sits so I could rest, knowing Dad was safe. That meant I could make the most of our last Christmas together.”
“It meant everything to us. Dad was where he wanted to be. We wouldn’t have had so many magical memories without Katharine House Hospice.”
During John’s illness and after he died, the hospice’s family support team provided emotional support to Emily and Isobelle, helping them come to terms with his diagnosis and their grief.
Today, Emily is transforming Far Coley Farm into a luxury wedding and events venue, complete with lakes that her dad dug himself.
“Every development here is part of Dad’s dream,” she says. “I still wear his gilet and drive his Manitou, which he proudly marked with his name - it keeps him close.”
Emily is not only the Fittest Farmer, she is also one of the charity’s Fab Fundraisers. In 2022 she raised over £1,000 by organising a Tractor Run with Staffordshire Young Farmers. More recently, she held a Summer Soirée at Far Coley Farm, resulting in a further £500 for the hospice.
She is now urging the people of Stafford to join her by taking part in their latest appeal, “You never know when you, or someone you love, might need their care.”
As part of its Care this Christmas appeal, Katharine House Hospice is asking supporters to help more families like the Meakins receive the same comfort and compassion when they need it most.
To make a donation or find out more, visit khhospice.org.uk/care-this-christmas/
