My mum, Marianne, was my world – my greatest supporter, and as I grew up, my best friend. She always had time to listen and was the only person who truly understood me.
At the end of her life, which came when she was just 53, she only received such warm, dignified, compassionate care because of kind supporters of St Wilfrid’s. So now, I’m on a mission to help more local people live well at the end of their lives. Will you help me?
My mum was the most selfless person I’ve ever known. She was there before I even realised I needed her, and she was there when I needed her most. With just one of her hugs, the world felt at peace and all my worries disappeared in an instant.
When Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, our world changed overnight. But even through all the uncertainty, she remained so strong – not just for herself, but for us all. She used to say, “We’ll get through this together, one day at a time.”
And that’s exactly what we did.
When I was 15, her cancer progressed suddenly. She became unconscious and we were told she had only hours left. I was in tears and said to my dad, “What do we do now?” “We need a miracle,” he replied.
Somehow that night, through her love, strength and fight, she beat the odds. And then we got another miracle – St Wilfrid’s.
From the moment Mum arrived for end of life care, she was treated with such kindness. They let me sleep beside her on her first night. They made her comfortable, took her pain away, and we had a movie night together. It felt like I was a child again, sharing what felt like a normal Friday evening – something we hadn’t been able to do at home.
Another evening, lots of our family were visiting so they set up the dining room so we could all be together and order food in. For the first time in forever, it felt like a bit of normality.
I thought the word hospice meant the end. But what I discovered was something entirely different. It wasn’t a place of endings – it was a place of compassion, dignity and love.
It became a place where I could just be a daughter again, not a carer, not someone holding it all together. They gave me comfort and the reassurance I wasn’t alone, something I will never forget.
Even after Mum died, they never stopped caring. I felt completely lost and was given bereavement counselling, and they continued to support me until I found myself again.
I knew then that I wanted to give back. It’s the reason I ran the London Marathon for St Wilfrid’s, even though I’m not a runner, and the reason I’m writing to you today, one supporter to another, to ask you to help raise £46,415 by 15th May so the amazing team at St Wilfrid's can help other families hold on – and help them let go.
Mum fought to be alive for us and never gave up. I want to use that same strength to help raise every penny. I can almost hear her saying, “I’m so proud of you honey.”
I started my letter with a thank you and I’d like to end on one too. Thank you so much for making the unbearable a little more bearable by supporting St Wilfrid’s.
Anusha X
£46,415 could cover the average cost of a nurse like Charlie
Here at St Wilfrid’s, our individual person-centred care starts and ends with devoted staff like Charlie, our Inpatient Unit Nursing Team Leader. The unit couldn’t run without her, she’s the absolute heartbeat, making sure all our patients and their loved ones receive outstanding care, and going the extra mile for everyone.
It costs £46,415 to cover the average cost of crucial care provided by a nurse like Charlie (a figure which doesn’t even begin to reflect how valuable she is). And, of course, this is just one example of the things we need to pay for.
Please join Anusha and donate to our Community Appeal now
With a new year of funding shortfalls ahead, we must take steps now to make sure St Wilfrid’s can be there for our community this year and beyond. Raising £46,415 is essential to secure the funding we need.
Your support makes all the difference
A gift from you today can help patients like Marianne to live well at the end of life, and help secure the future of St Wilfrid’s. Here’s the difference your donation could make.
£25 could cover the cost of an hour of compassionate care from a nurse like Charlie, giving patients like Marianne comfort.
£48 could go towards two counselling sessions for a loved one like Anusha, to support them through their bereavement.
£96 could give a family advice and support through our Nurse Line, so they always have somewhere to turn.
£178.72 could fund a nurse like Charlie for a full day, bringing comfort and dignity to people like Marianne.
