Farleigh launches leap year appeal

On Thursday 29 February, it will be business as usual at Farleigh Hospice.

On this day alone, our care teams will provide over 374 hours of physical, social and emotional support, free of charge, to patients and families affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement in mid Essex.

This year Farleigh is asking supporters to help us pay for the 'extra day' in this leap year.

As part of the appeal we meet Laura and Terry. Laura was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in October 2022. Farleigh has been there to support Laura and her husband throughout. We offered practical advice on housing and benefits when they were made homeless and we provide physiotherapy and nursing care to help Laura manage her symptoms. We even enabled the couple to achieve their dream of renewing their wedding vows in our Sanctuary at North Court Road.

Laura says: “Farleigh Hospice has been a guiding light leading the way. They have taken away our stress, anxiety and worry and replaced it with care, love, help and guidance. They have totally made every day count so Terry and I can live life to the full and keep being ‘us’.”

Read Laura and Terry's story here

On Sunday 18 February Sadie Nine from BBC Essex invited Laura and Terry on to her radio show.

The couple tell Sadie about the care and support they have received from Farleigh and talk about our 'Help us pay for the extra day' appeal.

Listen to the interview from 2 hours 22 minutes at BBC Essex show