“When we first started in 2016, we raised £300 in that year, which, as we didn’t know what to expect, we were really pleased with how it went. It was quite an experimental year for us. The amounts we raised steadily grew.”

“Their help was immeasurable. Dad was assigned a Hospice Nurse called Hannah, who visited Mum and Dad regularly. She was caring, patient and informative, and made sure that we had everything we needed.”

“I am absolutely not panicking at all. I am just looking forward to it. I am just hoping for good weather and nice views. I am certainly showing that it is never too late to do something like this. It’s all an adventure.”

“I really enjoy volunteering for the Hospice. It is a lovely shop, we have lovely people, and it is nice to know that you are giving something back to the Hospice. Of course, I do enjoy it. We are a very friendly group.”

“The staff’s kindness, the support during Lisa’s final weeks, and the ongoing connections have made a world of difference. The Hospice has become like family, and I am committed to continuing my support for the invaluable work they do.”

“My hope is people will be encouraged to support the Hospice, through donation, fundraising or volunteering. But also learn that a Hospice is not about a person dying, but about their quality of life, their family and friends, enjoying the time they have and keeping control up to the point of death and beyond.”

“We can’t recall a time after that when Mum and Dad didn’t have at least one St Nicholas Hospice Care fundraising project on the go.”

 

“With raising funds for St Nicholas, or any hospice, it is important that you get people to understand that it will always be an ongoing need. It’s not like raising funds, say, for a church steeple. You raise the money, and you get the steeple. The Hospice will always need to be supported, and funds will always need to be raised, and you need to keep up the momentum and the interest.”

 

 

“There is no magic panacea that can make the end of our lives easy or bearable. But what I feel confident of is that St Nicholas Hospice and the staff who work here will make that journey as bearable as possible.”

“The whole family are and will always be incredibly proud of them. They were lovely parents and in-laws, as well as grandparents, step-grandparents and great-grandparents.”

 

“The best bit of my job, without exception, is when I can hear somebody’s idea, and I’m able to almost channel Bob Jones and say, ‘That sounds fabulous. Yes, go ahead. Try and do that. Let’s see how it goes.”

 

“When I retired, I knew I wanted to come back. The Hospice is a special place, and it has been a special place for me ever since. I count the people here as my family.”

 

“We didn’t have to worry about caring for him. We just got to be there and enjoy him.”

 

“I saw my role as supporting the staff who were providing direct care and providing the environment in which they could prosper at the Hospice.”

 

Setting the foundation of the Hospice was “a great privilege.”

 

“It went from a germ of an idea to being started and then won an award.”

 

“It’s like being somebody’s hairdresser; patients will tell you things that they wouldn’t tell anyone else.”

 

“We did take the ‘d’ out of fundraising!”

 

“You get so much more than the medical assistance.”

 

“An important figurehead in the early Hospice story.”

 

“It was Louise’s wish to be at home, and that was listened to, and we spoke about all of the possibilities, all of the options were explained to us, and we knew there was support there.”

“I’ve been a stormtrooper, Princess Leia, Olaf, Norburn the Hospice mascot, and a Xmas Pudding.”

 

“Vital to the success of the Hospice.”

 

“Nicky’s Way has really helped the kids understand what’s been going on and helped with their emotions, feelings and frustrations. Nicky’s Way has really helped the kids to talk about their feelings and understand them.”

“I didn’t quite expect it, but it has been fabulous ever since.”

 

“The Hospice is a special place, and I think that is because it was set up with compassion for other people.”

 

“My heart was always on the ward.”

 

“I said I wanted a hat, two guns, a sheriff’s badge and a ride in a Porsche.”

 

“I get a lot of job satisfaction from helping a patient with no appetite to be encouraged to even eat just a small amount of food.”

 

“Girls Night Out started for me on a train in India.”

 

“You hope that your visits have achieved something and you have given something of yourself to make that person’s life as comfortable as possible.”

 

“His funeral did not give him the send-off he deserved, so as a family, we put this right and gave him a concert with all the music he loved.”

 

“The death of my own Gran at the Hospice has profoundly affected me as a nurse.”

 

Our greatest champion who worked with a passion and enthusiasm that was infectious.