Help Skip while he recovers from a blood infection

Our great friend and fabulous multi-instrumentalist, Skip Holmes, has been unable to work since September 2nd when he was brought to the hospital by ambulance after a suspected stroke.

Skip has long struggled (silently) with the excruciating pain of sciatica and had been dismissing new pain and troubling symptoms as being caused by that.

We were shocked and heartbroken to find out that Skip in fact had a very advanced blood infection, a large growth at the base of his spine, and the complications caused from the antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria also being detected in the valves of his heart.

Both Skip and Kimberley had to cancel months of booked gigs and music lessons losing much relied upon income, sadly during a time when they needed the work the most!

Throughout his treatment, Skip has spent many weeks as an in-patient in hospital being released periodically with intravenously administered antibiotics only to be readmitted when his body has been unable to battle the vicious bacteria wrecking havoc on his already badly battered immune system.

Skip continues to make progress, but after almost 3 months of not being able to work, he is still facing a long road to recovery before he will be able to again teach and perform.

Skip and Kimberley are two of the most honest, hardworking, giving people we and anyone who loves them could know! For months we and their other friends have pleaded with them to allow us to create a GoFundMe to help them with much needed funds. Lol, anyone who knows them, knows that those pleas were met with an appreciative but firm, no.

Skip and Kimberley have finally agreed to let us reach out to their massive community of friends, many of whom have experienced firsthand, the love, generosity and help that Skip and Kimberley have given so freely to others their whole lives!

Most recently, Kimberley and Skip poured more than a year of themselves into bringing the Canadian Grand Masters to Nova Scotia for the first time! It was a commitment not for the faint of heart and Skip and Kimberley not only pulled off an incredibly successful event, they created and bolstered support and love for their community, beloved fiddlers and friends, culture, and tradition!

Friends of Skip and Kimberley all have stories of how they have always, always gone above and beyond to selflessly support and promote others. Like so many of you would relate, they are both soo very, very special and so very important to us! We cannot, and never want to, imagine a world without them, their bright outlook, and their non-judgmental love for everyone!

Please feel free to share any stories you may have and know that every and any amount is greatly appreciated and if you prefer to use e-transfer, please reach out for their address.

Sending much love and appreciation to you all! xox Faye and Richard Wood