David, Volunteer Van Driver

“Lynne, my wife, passed away in December 2006 and was in the hospice for 4 weeks, during which time I lived at the hospice alongside her.

Our daughter Rebecca was going to be 21 in the January and our eldest daughter Victoria was to be married in the May. The Hospice helped us to arrange a celebration on the ward and blessing ceremony in the chapel, so we could all celebrate these occasions with our family and friends. Lynne passed away 2 days after the blessing, but thanks to all the staff she was able to see these milestones in her daughters’ lives ahead of time.

I feel the same now as I did the day my wife died. Going to the Hospice is like going back home. You are made so welcome and that’s by everybody. I still see staff, it may only be once a year, who knew my wife and they will always ask how I am and ask after the girls.

I can’t give back moneywise everything they did for her; that’s why I volunteer as a van driver, I love doing the job. I used to say that anytime I got fed up I’d stop, but over 10 years later I haven’t got to that stage.”

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