Rosemary’s story - what your support means

Rosemary lost her husband Paul to bowel cancer two years ago. Thanks to the generous support of the local community raising funds for the hospice, he was able to have his final wish. He died with dignity, at Dove House Hospice with Rosemary by his side. She wants as many people to support the Winter Raffle as possible so that the unconditional support she and her husband received can be experienced by many more. 

 

She says: ‘Paul was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013. As a fit and healthy 57 year old who played golf and went to the gym several times a week; it was a huge shock to us. 

 

When the tumour, not so fondly referred to as ‘Herbert’ was discovered, it was already quite large and the surgery and treatments Paul went on to have were invasive and unpleasant. Paul was desperate not to be seen as the ‘man with cancer’ and he faced his illness with humour and a determination to put something back into the services he was going to need as he got more poorly-often wearing his ‘coffin dodger’ t-shirt as he raised thousands of pounds for Dove House Hospice as well as other causes that had meant so much to us. 

 

Paul loved coming to Dove House. He loved playing his guitar and in his youth dreamed of being the next Eric Clapton. Our first interactions with Dove House were through a referral to music therapy and with the music therapist, Patrick, Paul created two pieces of music that not only gave him a creative outlet and a place to escape to a few hours each week, but which were composed for use in the complementary therapy rooms so that other patients could enjoy them-that’s the sort of selfless man Paul was. 

 

Towards the end of October 2016 Paul became very poorly and was admitted to the inpatient unit at Dove House. ‘Everyone was so kind, making me and our dog, Charlie, feel so welcome. There was nothing that the nurses wouldn’t do for us; from making sure that we knew what was happening to pushing two beds together so that I could hold Paul close. Thanks to people like you who have supported the hospice, Paul was comfortable and peaceful when he died and for that I will be forever grateful.’ 

 

With one of the lowest government funding in the country, the hospice relies heavily on public generosity to continue to help local people and their families living with life-limiting illnesses. It is hoped the Your Charity Lottery Winter Raffle will raise over an additional £25,000 for the hospice. Tickets for the Winter Raffle are only £1 and with a top prize of £2,019 your support could mean a great start to the New Year. 

 

If you would like to support people in your local community like Rosemary and her husband you can buy tickets to the Winter Raffle by clicking here.