Teacher Robert ‘John’ Redfern inspired a generation of youngsters – and now his family have handed Treetops Hospice a selection of books in his memory.
Sixty books have been donated to the hospice to be enjoyed by patients and staff, with many set aside for the new reading group which meets every other week at the Derbyshire end-of-life charity in Risley.
Avid reader Robert, who was known as ‘John’ by family, friends and colleagues, was supported by Treetops Hospice at Home nursing service. He taught at the Forest of Needwood and Paget High Schools, near Burton, and died in April of pulmonary fibrosis.
In his memory, daughters Nicki Tonkinson and Annette Brown, and Lisa Milton – who John kindly referred to as his ‘honorary daughter’ – have gifted a selection of fiction and non-fiction books to be enjoyed by the Wellbeing Book Group, which meets on alternate Mondays at Treetops Hospice.
“It is a pleasure to hand over the books in memory of dad and we plan to give more every May, his birthday month,” said Nicki.
“Reading, writing, poetry and literature were his life. He volunteered after he retired, wrote local history books and spent a lot of time in his Magic Attic in Swadlincote. Now we are giving books in his memory for others to enjoy. He would like that.”
Treetops deputy wellbeing manager Ali Jordan said: “This is a lovely addition to the hospice. We initially chose audio books as they are accessible if any of the group has any visual impairment. We used the BBC Sounds app where participants could listen to entire books, a chapter at a time.
“Then, when Nicki donated the books in memory of her dad, we had physical books to read. We’ve received a gifted bookcase now too.”
All the books which have been donated by John’s family will have a bookplate with his name on and can borrowed by staff and patients. The hospice welcomes additions to their stock.
Ali said: “It is such a lovely, shared experience and gives us a platform to help people access our services. We have created a safe space for people to discuss the books.
“So many people have admitted they have read more during the lockdowns, so we are responding to that trend.
“Nicki’s donation in memory of her father makes it a touching way to remember him. I am sure it gives the family comfort that his life is being remembered in this way.”
After John’s death, more than 160 former pupils sent messages of condolence and support and shared memories of him on the Forest of Needwood High School Facebook site. He was head of sixth form and deputy head at Paget.
Burton writer and journalist Elaine Pritchard said: “John Redfern and his teaching, and the theatre visits he organised, are the main reason that I’ve always made my living through writing.
“He was a tremendous teacher and I think we were all so lucky he was on the Forest staff.”
Last year, the team of more than 40 Hospice at Home nurses provided over 28,000 hours of end-of-life care to terminally ill patients in their own homes, during the day and overnight.
