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.

Thinking of you this Christmas, with your red jumper and white beard, always our very own Santa. Miss you xxx

In memory of Bryan my husband of 35 years. Love always xx.

Lyn and I didn't meet until our mid-40s and it turned out we had less than 8 years together, 4 of which were in the shadow of cancer until she passed away in November 2016. But in those 8 years she made me the happiest man in the world. We were married in 2011, just over a year before her diagnosis after which we still made the most of the time we had remaining. She never complained, never sought pity and a lot of people didn't even realise her situation until the last months when she had to give up work. The St Barnabus Hospice At Home team were the greatest source of help and support in that final period, and the day centre were too before and, for me, after that. I'll never be able to thank them enough.

This will be the first Christmas without Rob, having been together for 52 years. He was lucky enough to spend his last 4 days in your hospice which I will be forever thankful. Keep up the good work St Barnabas, your amazing.

We will be missing you on this first Xmas without you . Always loved never forgotten , Sue xx

Im missing you so much Nan ????
I hope you are resting with Alfie up there.
It hasn’t and will not be the same without you.
Love you always and forever, godbless xxx

Always in our thoughts
Lots of Love
Paulette, Peter, Richard, Nigel, Alison

Julie was a wonderful sister and friend. Always thinking of others. We had some wonderful Christmas together.

Very special people, always there for me
Greatly missed
XX

Missing you both .. not just at Christmas x x

Our first Christmas without you. We miss you so much beautiful boy

Thinking of our lovely parents especially at this time of year. Always loved, always remembered xxxx

Sadly missed and fondly remembered by all of her loved ones.

Just lost you but forever in my heart. My little Pixie is dancing in heaven. X x

Thinking of Jules and Hayley with love.
Kerry and Phil

I will always remember sleeping in you room Christmas Eve so that we could wake up in the morning and run downstairs to check if Santa had been.
Your missed by us all

Merry Christmas xx

Mum, life isn’t the same without you . Everyday I think about you and miss you.
Merry Christmas
XXX

Jo, cared for by St Barnabas and Dr Bob in a very caring atmosphere

Remembering our lovely Mum and Nan at one of her favourite times of the year. We love and Miss you, Nanny Harry. Lots of love Jacey,Gary,Nate,Cam and Ewan. X

O – my favourite memory of GGdad is when he would.pretens to sleep in his armchair and make us jump.
T – my favourite memory of GGdad is when he would ask us to pull his finger and when we pulled it he would make a trumping noise.

Much loved & missed

Miss you more than words can possibly ever convey.

Always loved and forever missed xxx

Debbie, Michael, Emily and Sophie xx