Helen Sharman’s husband, Chris, sadly died in our Inpatient Unit last month after living with prostate cancer for two years. She had joined the St Barnabas Lottery many years ago, not knowing that they would end up caring for Chris. Incredibly, just three weeks after Chris died, Helen won the rollover jackpot of £7,000!
Helen said, “I was amazed and delighted, but so sad that Chris couldn’t be here to share the news. Before his diagnosis we had plans to go to Australia, and now this is something we can never experience together. 
“Chris was a quiet, gentle and loving man who played sports all his life. He was a proud and loving dad and grandpa. As a member of the Lincoln Wheelers, he cycled to our daughter’s house in Hertfordshire over two days, aged 76! He was diagnosed not long after that, aged 77.
“When we were told by the hospital that Chris’s treatment wasn’t working, we knew St Barnabas Hospice was where he needed to be. The referral process was so easy, and he ended up spending five days in their Inpatient Unit in Lincoln. The Hospice also helped with occupational therapy, welfare advice and looked after our wellbeing.
“Chris died aged 79 and I will never forget the kindness, the professionalism, the support and the reassurance that our whole family received from St Barnabas Hospice. They were just incredible.
“As Chris was nearing the end, I stayed overnight at the Hospice. The nurses had made a little bed next to his for me to sleep on and I lay facing him as we both fell asleep. In the night, the nurses came to change his position quietly, and I was so touched when they also moved my bed to the other side of the room, so we could still see each other. They just know exactly the right thing to do and when to do it.
“I am going to think very carefully about how I spend the Lottery winnings. They feel like a gift after so much heartache and I want to include Chris’s memory in my plans in some way. One thing I do know is that I will certainly be making a donation to St Barnabas Hospice after everything they have done for us.
“Supporting the St Barnabas Lottery is such an easy thing to do. It costs just £4.34 a month for a weekly entry into the draw and your money will help people like Chris to die with dignity. I’m so glad I chose to support the Hospice in this way and would urge others to do likewise.”
To join the St Barnabas Hospice Lottery, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/lottery or call 01522 546 500.