Nottinghamshire Hospice has launched a special appeal to celebrate its 40th birthday.

It is inviting supporters to get together in memory of loved ones and raise funds at the same time.

Linda Randall, of Warsop, is having a ‘coming of age’ party to remember her husband, Bill, and support the appeal.

The couple had a standing joke that when she reached state pension age she would throw a party to celebrate. 

Sadly Bill died in 2019 but Linda has invited family and friends to keep his spirit of fun alive and also say thank you for the care Nottinghamshire Hospice provided in his last days.

Linda said Bill was a sociable, fun-loving person who loved parties, so throwing one in his honour seemed the right thing to do.

“I want everyone to be happy, enjoy themselves and let their hair down in his memory,” she added. “I also want to raise lots of money for Nottinghamshire Hospice, which does such a wonderful job of providing support and care to those whose life is limited, and their families.”

Bill was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer in March 2019. He received Hospice at Home care at the couple’s Warsop home before he died eight months later, aged 75.

Linda said: “Bill had been in a residential hospice three times with infections, but he always wanted to come home. I wanted him home too.

“Although I used to be a nurse, I would have struggled to care for him without support. I can’t describe the relief of knowing there was somebody there, which meant I could get some sleep at night.

“The care and compassion Bill and I received from the hospice nursing staff in those last days were invaluable, but cost us not one penny. They made a distressing time just that bit more bearable.

For the hospice birthday appeal, people are encouraged to donate £40 to cover a year of care, put on a fundraiser, throw a party with family and friends or take on a fundraising challenge. 

Tori Harrison, Individual Giving Fundraiser at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “Help us realise our 40:40 vision of delivering another 40 years of care by supporting our appeal.”

To support the appeal go to www.nottshospice.org/birthday