Last year we cared for over 3,000 people in our Hospice and in the community. Your support of Light up a Life is enabling us to continue providing specialist care when these families need it most. Our Bereavement Services support around 1,200 people each year, ensuring that each and every person within the family is cared for and supported when they need it most.

Sam has very kindly shared her story of the care her family received at the Hospice and continues to receive now.

“Steve arrived at the Hospice last November. We hadn’t realised how traumatic the last months had been until we walked through the doors of the Hospice. It was the first time since his diagnosis that it didn’t feel like we were fighting.

They told us they were here to take over and that we don’t have to worry anymore. We still didn’t think that would happen after how difficult the last few months had been. They talked through everything with us, it was such a sense of relief, but it took us about 4 / 5 days to fully trust.

I thought, this is how it should feel – you deserve this.

Steve decided he wanted to go to St Gemma’s. On his first night I didn’t want to leave him, but when I got home I got a text from him saying ‘I feel safe’. They changed our lives.

He was dying then, but it was the happiest month we had the whole year. It was transformative, they were such compassionate people.

Steve had a list of things he wanted to do with Jacob, our son, a lot of which he wasn’t able to do, but St Gemma’s helped us to celebrate Christmas early. I was expecting a turkey sandwich, but they laid a table for 6 of us in Steve’s room with all the trimmings. A three course meal with Christmas cake and a yule log. Centre pieces, crackers and a Christmas Tree.

I have always known about St Gemma’s as I live locally, but I don’t think you realise exactly what St Gemma’s is until you experience it.

That Christmas dinner and Light up a Life, It’s one of the prevailing memories we have.

The morning of Light up a Life he went to sleep, and I was worried he wouldn’t wake up again. The nurses told me to speak to him as he would still be able to hear me. I told him about Jacob switching on the lights and that I would video it for him.

The nurses know how close it is, they are always exactly right, but they told me he could hear me. He could hear me, he woke up an hour before the light switch on, and the nurses brought him to the doors of the hospice to see Jacob switch on the lights.

His words to Jacob after were “Well done son, I’m so proud of you, my beautiful boy”.

Steve fell asleep not long after the service, and never woke up.

Light up a Life is a precious, beautiful ceremony. All those families together that have a connection to the Hospice.”

We understand that not everyone wants to make a dedication. However you can still support our Light up a Life Appeal. Just click the donate button below and choose no dedication.