Anne’s story: Precious time together

When Anne’s cancer returned and later spread, life changed for the whole family. With support from St Nicholas Hospice Care, Anne was able to spend precious time with the people she loved, including celebrating Christmas at home and seeing her son marry.

Meet Anne

Anne was a much-loved mum, nurse and friend who enjoyed walking, music, village life and spending time with family. She loved the simple routines that make a home feel full of life.

When Anne’s cancer returned and later spread, Anne and the family faced the hardest of journeys.

Throughout it, St Nicholas Hospice Care was there with expert care, reassurance and compassion when it mattered most.

Anne Family Life — For Anne's family, that support wasn't only about the care Anne received. It also helped make space for them to spend time together as a family.

Chris, Anne's son, remembers how difficult caring for someone who is very ill at home could be, from all the practical tasks involved to the constant concern about whether Anne was receiving the best possible care.

"It gave us the freedom to act as family rather than carers for a time, and we managed to create many more good times together in her final months."

Home for Christmas

Full-width-Family-Christmas-Dinner-BTG-appeal — As Christmas approached, Anne returned home from the Hospice for what would be Anne's final Christmas.

With daily visits from the Hospice team, the family could share gifts, watch favourite films, enjoy Christmas dinner and hold on to precious moments together.

Anne-on-Sylvan-Ward — Anne had said that, if Anne's illness advanced, Anne wanted to spend the final days at the Hospice. When the time came, the nurses and community team respected Anne's wishes. They supported Anne to stay at home when possible, managed pain and reassured the family that someone was always there.

That care meant Anne and the family could concentrate on something much more familiar: being together.

"We found the Hospice warm, welcoming and positive. Staff listened, explained and reassured us, caring for Anne as a whole person."

One more unforgettable family moment

Anne with her sons at wedding — Christmas wasn't the only important occasion the family hoped to share.

Anne's youngest son brought a planned wedding forward from the summer to New Year's Eve so Anne could be there.

Anne with Chris — The Hospice team ensured Anne had the medication needed, helped with preparations and arranged for two nurses to accompany Anne to church.

Anne saw the wedding, enjoyed the speeches, shared food with the family and even danced a little.

"The team at St Nicholas Hospice Care were incredibly kind, receptive and flexible. I will be forever grateful for them for their efforts to get mum feeling well enough to attend my wedding, and for their support in getting her there on the day."

Help make precious moments possible for another family

Every family’s story will be different.

But your gift to St Nicholas Hospice Care could help provide expert care, reassurance and support to local people facing the end of life, and to the people who love them.

It could help another family have precious time together, knowing the person they love is comfortable, listened to and treated with dignity.

Anne with David at wedding — For the whole family, it became an unforgettable gift.

Hospice care could not change what Anne and the family were facing. But it could help make precious moments possible within it: Christmas at home, time spent simply as a family and an extraordinary New Year's Eve together.

"It is too easy to focus on what we have lost and not value what we have gained. We have further gained from the care, compassion and support from our family, friends and everyone at the Hospice."

Help another family have precious time together

This Christmas, your gift could help St Nicholas Hospice Care provide expert care, comfort and reassurance to another local person and the people who love them.

Your kindness could help our nurses manage pain, provide vital Hospice care and give families precious time together, knowing the person they love is comfortable, listened to and treated with dignity.