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A fond farewell to charity legend

by Ailsa Cranna
27/ 3/2008

TRIBUTES have poured in for the campaigning grandmother who helped raise over £1.5m for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Kath Smith died in the Royal Bolton Hospital on March 14 at the age of 92, two days before she would have celebrated her 93rd birthday.

Hundreds packed her service at Agecroft Crematorium on Wednesday to pay their respects.

Consultant paediatric anaesthetist George Meakin said: "I will remember Kath for her determination, forthright manner, incredible kindness and unique ability to know what vital equipment was wanted and how to get it.

"She was that increasingly rare creature - somebody prepared to work unceasingly for a cause."

Jean Halliday, a close friend and neighbour of Kath’s in Raymond Street, Pendlebury, and treasurer of Kath’s research equipment fund, said: "You refused her requests at your peril. She was absolutely committed one hundred per cent to the children’s hospital at Pendlebury and didn’t want services to move to central Manchester."

Famously she even managed to persuade Sir Cliff Richard to part with a pair of his trousers which were auctioned off for her research equipment fund.

Charities manager at RMCH Pat Whiteside added: "When you consider that Kath was well into her eighties and still fundraising, it makes you realise just how considerable her achievements were."

Kath’s achievements were recognised with a British Empire Medal in 1994.

In 2003 she travelled to London to have tea with the Queen and was presented with A Pioneer To The Life of the Nation award.

It was there that she met Sir Cliff Richard.

As she recalled later: "I got talking to him and he was really interested to hear about the work we do.

"As we were leaving, he came across, gave me a kiss and that’s when I asked if he could donate something to help our fund.

"I was delighted - if a little surprised when the powder blue trousers came in the post."

Kath Smith began her fundraising career in 1983 after her husband Eric died from cancer.

What started as a small charity with two friends gradually blossomed into a major fundraising effort which provided equipment for theatre, intensive care and the pathology lab at RMCH.

Salford council leader John Merry said: "Thousands of children have reasons to thank Kath Smith."

Kath suffered a massive stroke two years ago which left her paralysed down one side.

She moved to a nursing home in Bolton and then to another in Little Hulton where she had another stroke and was admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where she passed away on March 14. She leaves two daughters, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

The family have asked for donations, in lieu of flowers, to go to Francis House Hospice, in Didsbury.