One wedding dress, many memories
Kate Munden donated her crystal and lace gown to ellenor, where it will help people receiving hospice care celebrate weddings and commitment ceremonies with the people they love.
For seven years, Kate Munden couldn’t bear to part with her wedding dress. Hanging in her wardrobe, it held memories of one of the happiest days of her life.
But Kate knew she was unlikely to wear her wedding dress again. Rather than leave it hanging in her wardrobe, she donated it to ellenor, where it will help patients celebrating weddings and commitment ceremonies create lasting memories with the people they love.
Kate said: “My dress was so beautiful, and I always hoped that one day someone else might experience the same special moment we did. Wearing your wedding dress makes you feel like a million dollars.
“We got married in 2018 and I’d had the dress dry cleaned and safely stored ever since. I kept it because I thought perhaps someone in the family might want to wear it one day or have something made from it. But as time went on, I realised that was unlikely. My daughter will probably want to choose a dress of her own, and I wanted my dress to have the chance to make someone else feel as special as I did.”
Kate, a Year 6 teacher at Gravel Hill Primary School in Bexleyheath, is married to Lee and together they have two children, Riley, six, and Millie, two.
Supporting ellenor has become a family affair. Riley recently took part in a fundraising day at Fleetdown Primary School in Dartford, proudly wearing his ellenor T-shirt and encouraging family members to donate a little extra.
“He wanted to raise a little bit more money as he knows it helps people who are poorly,” said Kate.
The family’s connection with ellenor began through Lee’s nan, Gill Kempster, who started volunteering with the charity after her husband, Mick, received care from ellenor. Today, Gill is a Family Support volunteer at ellenor, supporting people who attend the weekly Bereavement Cuppa at the Glentworth Club in Dartford.
Kate said: “After her husband, Mick, died ten years ago, Gill began attending bereavement support sessions at ellenor before deciding she wanted to give something back by volunteering.
“We always think about what prizes we could donate to the Bereavement Cuppa raffle or save boxes that could be made into a hamper. ellenor is always around us and it is very much part of the community in Dartford.”It’s that community feeling that’s important. ellenor is not just there in that moment; it’s branching out and getting everyone involved, including schools. The hospice is more than four walls and when you think of things like the Bereavement Cuppa, ellenor is welcoming people in who might have suffered a terrible ordeal. People using ellenor’s services might be going through the most horrendous times of their lives, but they have people there who really care – and that’s the most important thing.”
Kate’s dress will now be cared for by Terrie May, Family Support Lead at ellenor, who supports patients planning weddings and commitment ceremonies both in the hospice and in the community. It will be worn by patients as they celebrate one of life’s most special moments with the people they love.
Terrie said: “Getting married or having a commitment ceremony can mean everything to someone living with a life-limiting illness. At ellenor, we help people make the most of the time they have with the people they love. Being able to help make that happen is really special.
“When Kate offered to donate her wedding dress, it was such a lovely thing to do. It means someone else will get to wear a beautiful dress and feel really special on their day. We’re so grateful for her kindness
At ellenor, we often say our supporters are our heroes because every act of kindness makes a difference. Whether it’s donating a treasured possession, volunteering, fundraising or simply telling others about our work, the support of our community helps us continue caring for local families facing life-limiting illness. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make that possible.
