Darwen: Family praises hospice cold room after death of Holly, 15

They recently embarked on a fitness challenge to raise funds for the Chorley-based hospice, Derian House.

Holly Brand, who went to school at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, lost her battle with pulmonary hypertension, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. She was just 15-years-old. 

After Holly died on June 29, 2023, she lay at rest in a cold room, known as a sunflower room where her family could visit her, giving them extra time to say goodbye.

Holly’s dad, Kevin Brand, said: “We didn’t know about Derian House until we needed them. Derian went above and beyond for us and Holly, I don’t know what we would have done without them. It’s a fantastic place.

“Holly stayed in a sunflower room for eight days – we never knew this was an option for us. We just knew we didn’t want Holly going into a morgue.

“The sunflower room meant we could spend more time with Holly. We brought all of her bedding, her own pyjamas, and her pictures. We played her favourite music.

"I think a lot of people who haven’t experienced a sunflower room might think it’s unusual because you don’t realise you want something like that until you’re in that situation.”

Holly’s family and friends put on their walking boots to scale the Yorkshire Three Peaks in her memory on Saturday, April 20.

Yorkshire three peaks challenge in memory of Holly Brand, 15 (Image: Derian House)

An intrepid troop of 18 walkers, including Holly’s parents, decided to pay tribute to Holly’s life by climbing Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough to raise money for Derian House.

Kevin, 49, said: “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life – I have pain in places where I have never felt pain but it was worth every minute.”

The challenge was organised by close family friend Mick French, 50, of Leyland.

“It means a lot that Mick decided to organise the fundraiser for Holly, when we weren’t in the right place to organise anything like this at the time,” Kevin said.

“We didn’t realise how popular Holly was until she passed. So many people have got behind the event, and some have gone beyond that. It was a fantastic achievement for everyone who took part.”

Mick French is an ex-colleague of Holly’s Dad Kevin and currently works alongside Holly’s brothers Jack, 29, and Ryan, 22, at safety equipment supplier Heskins Ltd, in Chorley.

“Holly’s passing has left a profound impact on those who knew her, and the pain of her loss is still palpable for her family and friends,” said Mick.

“It was absolutely awful thinking what the Brand family were going through. Such a tragic loss of a beautiful soul.

"The grief that has enveloped their family has deeply affected me, and it has made me realise the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our loved ones. I went home after Holly’s news and held my children tightly that night.

“The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge is an opportunity for us to come together, not only to pay tribute to Holly's life but also to raise funds for a cause that has been instrumental in providing care and support to families like the Brands. I live close by to Derian House and I think what they do there is incredible – they are angels.”

You can still donate to the Yorkshire Three Peaks fundraiser by visiting the JustGiving page that has been made.  

Holly has also inspired Darwen Aldridge Community Academy to raise money for Derian House in her memory. They have so far raised a whopping £2,500, and continue to raise funds for the charity.

The school’s headmistress, Claire Bailey, will be taking part in this year’s dive for Derian to raise money for the charity, skydiving from up to 15,000ft.

Kerry Salmon, a community fundraiser at Derian House, said: “It’s incredible to see that Holly’s life has inspired her family, friends and local community to get together and do something amazing.

Kevin Brand (Image: Derian House)

“The challenge did not look easy – well done to everyone who made it to the finish line, it is a fantastic achievement, and you should all be proud.

“Services are free for families, but it will cost £6 million to run services at Derian House this year. We rely heavily on the generosity of our local community – just like all of Holly’s family and friends – to make sure we can continue to provide care for our families.”