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.

Shine above that rainbow my darling. Love always Paul xx

For my darling husband missed and loved so very much. Passed away 13 December 2012 just 6 days after our Wedding Anniversary. Always in my heart xx

Missing you every day beautiful girl❤️❤️❤️????????????????????????????????????

Stuart, you are missed every day, the world isn't the same without you in it. Love always, Alistair x

In memory of my beloved Granny and Grandad, who benefited from and truly appreciated St Barnabas. Thank you both for lighting up my life. I love you both.

❤️❤️❤️

Thinking of my dear mum. We miss you so much. Xx

Love and miss you so much. Never forgotten. Love Mum. xxx

Missed dearly.

Remembering you with our love at Christmas time

My wonderful much loved Mum. Forever in our thoughts, hearts and minds!

The most incredible man, who we all love and miss dearly. Thinking of all our special memories and wishing him a heavenly Merry Christmas. Sending love from us all and a special kiss from his Great-Granddaughter Lilia ❤️

After nearly 60 years of marriage, I miss my wife every single day.

Thinking of you all, especially at this time of year! You are missed but never forgotten, we all love you so much!
All our love, always xxxxx

We will always remember you Elaine, not just at Christmas. You, Richard, Kathryn and David were like family to us. So many happy times spent together. RIP xxx

My dad was always my biggest supporter, now he's my brightest star in the sky

Dear Granny Grandad, Auntie Bridget, Great Granny and Grandad Flynn and Great Granny and Grandad McGregor, we all miss you very very much especially around a special time as Christmas when we wish you could all be with us. Some of you , Granny, Great Granny& Grandad Flynn and McGregor I’ve unfortunately never got to meet you but some of you may remember me as a tiny baby but I wish that I was blessed with time with all of you to really know what wonderful people you really were but luckily I feel so close to you and I have so many stories from everyone to learn so much about you all and I know you are always with me. Grandad, I got so many wonderful years with you but I’m still not over the fact you are no longer with us, the world was so much brighter with you in it. With your passion for music, your warm embrace whenever you gave me a hug, so tight but so warm. Your determination with everything you did and the fact you just were my best friend in the whole world. Christmas is very hard without you, you would always be helping around the house doing piles of ironing or helping mum with some DIY or suddenly on Christmas Day saying we needed to take the dining room door off ha ha, you were full of surprises. I miss you so very much and I love you, please kiss Granny for me and tell her I am always thinking of her. And Auntie Bridget, who basically became my Granny, you were a pillar in my life, you taught me so much about cooking, elegance and grace, you devotion to God was so admirable and really rubbed off on me. Your gentle voice and guidance in everything raised me to be who I am today. I miss you so much sometimes when I’m having a bad day all I can think of is how much I need you. But I know you are with me and i with you.
Merry Christmas to my wonderful family who are never forgotten and so happy in our thoughts.

Remembering the wonderful times we had

Jane was very well cared for at the hospice in her final few weeks. It's almost 8 years but she's still very much loved and missed. It's the anniversary of us losing our lovely Dad tomorrow to Covid. Brother Dave & I will be together and raising several glasses to him.

Dear David we miss you so much. You are always with us in our thoughts. Love from Mum, Dad, Christine, Andy and Sheila. xxx

Mum, wherever you are i hope you are at peace. Wish you were here so i could tell you all those things left unsaid. Love, your little girl Karen xxx

My Grandad Stan was my biggest fan; he never missed an opportunity to celebrate my successes or just big me up for no reason whatsoever. We were best friends, and I did everything I could to make sure that his last few years on earth were as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. My Grandad loved Christmas and the whole family being together, and we make sure to honour his memory, especially at this time of year. I love and miss you, Gramps! Mica xxxxx

My Grandma Peggy was such a kind and caring woman, with so much grace and poise. My Grandma was such a strong woman and never let anything get her down, not in her 91 & 1/2 years on this earth. I have so many fond memories of spending countless childhood Christmases with my grandma, filled with so much love and happiness. All my love, Mica xxxxx

Grandad Booth was an inspiration to the entire family. An old-fashioned man with good morales, and often the only person who could tolerate my tantrums. He'd always hand me down the sports pull-outs from the newspapers and let me stay up late to watch the football highlights. He supported me always and I fondly remember him cheering me on from the sidelines, come rain or shine. We love you, and miss you Grandad. Lots of love, Tom & Family.

This will be the first year of my life that I will not be able to speak to you on Christmas Day. Always in my thoughts. Love you Mum xx