Derbyshire Poet Laureate’s heart-felt poem wins £100 for kidney research

Cathy Grindod, Derbyshire Poet Laureate, recently won £100 for Kidney Research UK in a poetry competition run by Jo Bell of poetry organization, Bell Jar. The brief was to write a poem of five lines, convincing her why she should donate £100 to a specific charity.

“My younger brother, after several years of kidney disease, developed chronic renal failure,” explains Cathy. “In his 30s, after some years of illness and self-dialysis, he received a kidney transplant, and his life was transformed. I’m delighted to say my poem won and even more delighted that it raised £100 for Kidney Research UK.”


Cathy’s Poem

Kidney Research UK

If you’d been there when he woke up, you’d know why.
My hurt brother, coming round, mended.
No more bulging bags of pills, chemists’ knowing smiles, dialysis, tears.
No more telling him on and on to keep on keeping on.
Five years now, still mended, seeing in another New Year with me.

© Cathy Grindrod, Derbyshire Poet Laureate

Cathy Cathy

Paul Hartley, Cathy's brother Paul Hartley, Cathy's brother