Hello, I have made a kind donation in memory of my amazing mum, Sarah and would love to share her story.

My mum was cared for by St Barnabas hospice, and stayed in the inpatient unit November-December 2024. At the age of 38 she had been diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of genetic lung cancer. Her short battle with cancer was terrible for us all to see, but the incredible care she received at your hospice meant the world to us.

One of the last memories we ever made with our mum was watching the torchlight procession together outside the unit. The staff assisted in bundling my mum up in blankets and fluffy socks and wheeled her outside to watch the light walk with her family and children. There were tears, smiles, laughter, kind words and hugs from those passing by. I am heartbroken yet honoured to be participating in the walk this year in honour of my mother.

On the 4th of December, the staff set up their conservatory to allow us to spend one last Christmas Day as a family. We laid presents under the beautiful tree, played music and ate a Christmas dinner and cakes brought in by family. My mum was able to watch her young boys and teenage girls open the presents she’d picked out for them earlier in the year, alongside being spoilt herself with lots and lots of bracelets, teddy bears and skincare! The nurses were constantly on hand to assist with pain management and ensuring my mum was comfortable throughout the day.

The staff gave it their all, from washing, brushing and drying mum’s hair to being there for a broken family in the worst moments of their life. They went above and beyond to allow us to make those last memories. The nurses constantly spoke to me and my siblings and ensured we were staying as strong as possible! Mandy stayed with us as my mum took her last breaths and I’m forever grateful that we had her support and guidance, and that she showed my mum complete compassion and gentle care right up until the end.

My mum was treated with respect and dignity until the moment she left your unit. She loved the yummy food, joking around with her nurses and watching the squirrels and birds from her window. It felt like home.

Thank you St Barnabas, we will always keep your charity close to our hearts. You have made a huge difference to our lives.

This Christmas is the first without my beloved Grandma, Sylvia. My Grandma loved Christmas and I cherish lots of memories around the Christmas period that I had with her.
Shine bright Gma and I hope you’re pulling all the crackers up there. I love you.

I love and miss you each and every day. Keep shining bright Nanna, I love you xx

My Dad loved a traditional extended family christmas day lunch. He always laid the table and did most of the washing up whilst myself and 2 sisters went for a walk with relatives.

Thinking of you this Christmas, thank you for sending us our precious baby girl ~ Ada Denise ~ to help heal our broken hearts.
Watch over & protect her
You are always in our hearts & thoughts, Love You, from your loving family xxxx

We are remembering my Grandad. An amazing trombone player in his day as well as a terrifically talented joiner. My Grandad was like a built in best friend. So funny, his smile and laugh just lit up the entire room. And I would always feel safe and secure whenever he was near, he just had a calming presence. He always reassured you that you would be fine and give you a big squeeze and you would instantly feel better. My grandad was so determined, this showed when he had a stroke when I was younger and he had to learn how to read, write and speak again and he did. He passed away two years ago now from falling on a rainy day and after all he had achieved recovering from those traumas, it left such a hole in our lives for him to be suddenly taken when he was so healthy. Our lives are definitely different without him as he was such a light and a joy. Everyone who met him says the same, he was just a force of nature. The best husband, father and grandad in the world.
We are also remembering my Granny (Grandad’s wife) unfortunately she passed when I was a baby so I didn’t get much time with her, which really upsets me but when I hear all the wonderful and also funny stories about her I truly feel like I know her so well. She was so kind, so creative, also a force of nature. She was very determined, she ran a restaurant whilst taking care of her family and just had so many feathers to her cap! She had an eye for detail. I wish I could have spent years on end with her, going around antique shops which she so dearly loved. She was a treasured wife, mother and Granny.
We are also remembering my Auntie Bridget. When my granny passed away Auntie Bridget sort of took on the role of Granny duties. And to this day , I can say she truly shaped who I am. She was so kind, so delicate, always fair. Auntie Bridget loved church and keeping her rosary beads close to her (which is something I like to do now because of her), everything in her home was perfect and beautiful. Some of the best memories of my childhood are school holidays at my Auntie Bridget’s. And walking through her front door and getting a whiff of her homemade chicken soup that she was cooking. Everyone who knew her, held a special place in their hearts for Auntie Bridget and that’s a fact. We miss her everyday.

And finally we are remembering my Granny Flynn (Auntie Bridget’s sister and my Mums Granny) she too passed when I was baby so I don’t have any memories with her and I so wish I did because of the stories I hear she was such a kind and wonderful person to know. I have one picture of her holding me when I was just born, I’m asleep in her lap and she is looking down at me just like an angel and she is so very gently holding my tiny hand with the tips of her fingers, the picture is so beautiful and special because although I never knew her that picture shows how much she loved me and how many memories we would have made together , the memories would have been wonderful. My mum describes her as so elegant and very much “a lady” and she was a huge part of my mum’s growing up, almost everyday they would see her, she was like a “second mum”. It just shows how treasured she was.

Remembering our amazing Mum, who passed away in January this year. We all miss her so much.

Always in my heart.

Every Christmas we would all get together at our house, play games,sing it was such a lovely time

Dad was always so positive & proud of his family. We have a strong bond that death will not part us.
Night dad see you in the morning xx

A loving husband, dad & grandad. Missed everyday & forever in our hearts xxxxx

You will never walk alone, and always remembered love, Jane Mark Andy Lynsey Oliver & Phoebe xx

Always missed

We all miss you and love you so much. Life will never be the same again. Till we meet again.x

Remembering the happiest memories in the 23 years we knew you. Forever greatful you found us ❤️. Thinking of Helen, Allison, Gord, Scott, Jen, Alex and Ben during this hard time.
Lots of love
Ruth, Steve, Kat and Rachel

Always on my mind Jamesy, forever in my heart, love Mum xxxx

Greatly missed , always in our hearts . Lived life at a fast pace, ti the end xxxxxx

Forever in our memory and thinking of you both always x

Shine brightly Russ
I love and miss you soo much ❤️

Always loved and never forgotten.

Love Mum, Emma, Nic, Ruth, Dylan, Bethan, Max, Will and Garry.
Xxx

A beautiful inspirational daughter, a wonderful mother to my 2 grandchildren and Nana to my great grandchildren. Missed but remembered every single day xxxxx

Loving memories of a muched loved Dad

Always remembered, never forgotten, forever loved ❤️ missing and thinking of you both, like always Xx

My dear Mum, Dad, Val, Mick and Jo, We miss you all so much, especially at Christmas. We had some lovely Christmases together. We are truly blessed to have so many happy memories. One day we will all be together again. Polly and Colin xxx

Mum, miss you more than words can say. Loved and remembered every day xxxx

You loved christmas so much, this will be our 7th without you Still thinking of you and missing you. Xxx