Wakefield Hospice: ‘They cared for mum with compassion’

As 2020 is a leap year the hospice needs to raise an extra £11,500 to fund the extra day.

And the Express has teamed up with the hospice and its volunteers to make it happen.

Shani Fowler told us the story of how her mum, Dorothy, was cared for at the hospice.

She said: “Mum spent just over four weeks in the hospice and my family and I were so grateful for the amazing care she received.

“Mum was also immensely grateful for everything the hospice did. Doctors, nurses, admin, cleaning staff and volunteers all cared for her with such compassion and respect, affording her dignity at all times.

“I would also like to thank you for the care that was extended to us as a family. When Mum died, the staff on duty were amazing. They showed such empathy and understood how we felt. They even gave my little boy a special teddy bear to help him cope. Every aspect is so beautifully thought out.

“The whole hospice on all levels excels at what it does, and every member of staff should be immensely proud of their continued hard work.”

Laura Hughes thanked hospice staff after her grandfather Trevor passed away peacefully just a few days after celebrating his 87th birthday.

She said: “My grandfather was really anxious about going into a hospice. However, the team at Wakefield were so upbeat, reassuring and compassionate with him, they soon allayed his fears.

“They made it feel more like a period of respite for him and my grandma, rather than as a place to go to die. He was happy and settled there.

“I will never forget the simple, everyday kindness and empathy shown to us.

“It’s difficult to put into words how much a blanket, a cup of tea and a reassuring smile can mean to you at two o’clock in the morning when you’re sat in the dark watching over a loved one.”

Support us

This year is a leap year meaning Wakefield Hospice is providing care for 366 days and needs to find an extra £11,500 to cover the additional day’s costs.

The Express and the hospice have launched a Leap Year Appeal and called upon you for help to care for some of the distict’s most vulnerable people.

Due to the broadening of its services and the increase in demand, each half hour of care at the hospice costs £350.

Visit www.wakefieldhospice.org/support-us/fundraising

The hospice cares for patients with any life-limiting illness.

It receives only 25 per cent of its funding from statutory sources - the rest comes from fundraising.

For this reason the hospice is deeply grateful for any donation towards the cost of care, or for your support of any of their fundraising initiatives.

There are many ways you can support its work, from taking part in an event or making a regular, monthly donation, to including a small gift in your will.