“My wife, Susan, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. After she recovered, we enjoyed a good life together, playing golf and travelling to a lot of places.
In July 2014, one of Susan’s friends phoned me saying she was concerned that she hadn’t seemed quite right when they played golf together, so Susan went for a check-up.
When you are with someone all of the time, you don’t always notice small, gradual changes to their health. We were both shocked to find out that the cancer was back and was quite aggressive, having sadly spread throughout her body.
Susan started treatment and a friend who was a nurse told us to contact Farleigh Hospice. They arranged a home visit to see if we had the right facilities to care for her there. As our bungalow wasn’t suitable, she was admitted to Farleigh’s specialist Inpatient Unit in September.
I was pleased that Susan was very happy there. The staff and volunteers made her comfortable and were sympathetic and caring. Our family and friends could visit her and they were impressed at how pleasant her room was. It overlooked the garden and, while Susan wasn’t really well enough to go outside on the patio, she could have the doors open and sit there listening to the birds singing. It would not have been possible for her to have that quality of care at home.
Susan passed away at the hospice on 4 October 2014, aged 74. I have been supporting Farleigh ever since to say thank you, including taking part in Santa Fun Run and helping to distribute the annual quiz. I am now an ambassador for the charity.
The care that my wife received at Farleigh Hospice during her final weeks was exemplary. It really improved her quality of life and made things much easier for us both at this very difficult time. It’s important that this care is available for other people in the future, which is why I am leaving a donation to Farleigh in my Will.
It was simple for a solicitor to arrange this and having a Will makes things much easier for my family when I die. Once I have looked after them, I am very happy to support Farleigh as it’s nice to do something useful for a local charity.”
Social media message: “It was simple for a solicitor to organise a gift to Farleigh Hospice in my Will, so I can say thank you for my wife’s excellent care.”
Leave a gift in your Will
If you are considering leaving a gift in your Will, you can find out more information by clicking the button below.
If you have already included Farleigh Hospice in your Will, we would love to hear from you so we can thank you and ensure your wishes are recorded.
Thank you for helping to make sure hospice care is here for all, for now and in the future.