“In September 2023 our lives changed forever when my husband Dan was diagnosed with cancer. Right from the start, the Hospice of St Francis stood by our side. Dan was supported by a wonderful palliative care nurse, had access to physio, and was given the opportunity to attend exercise sessions and support groups.
I was supported with my newfound role as a carer and my son had counselling, enabling him to cope with the situation we found ourselves in.
As Dan’s condition deteriorated, we were provided with the equipment we needed to manage at home, keeping him comfortable until it was time for him to stay at the Hospice as an inpatient. On arrival at the Inpatient Unit, our family and friends were treated with dignity, care and understanding.
The nurses were wonderful in the care they gave Dan, ensuring his passing was peaceful and exactly as he wished it to be.
We never wanted life to turn out the way it did, but the Hospice helped to make this journey the best it could be, enabling Dan to fulfil his wishes in the way he was cared for at the end of his life.
The thing is none of this comes cheap. It costs at least £6m for the Hospice to provide its services to patients and families each year, 80% of which must be raised through fundraising.
I want to give something back to this wonderful Hospice, and so I have signed up to walk the Ridgeway path at the start of May. Its 87 miles from Avebury, Wiltshire to our lovely Ivinghoe Beacon. This will take five days, walking an average of 17 miles a day.
It won’t be an easy challenge, but I am committed it giving it my all as the Hospice did for us.” – Christine
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