Nottinghamshire Hospice has launched its ‘Light up a Life’ appeal to bring light to the lives of terminally ill people throughout Christmas and beyond, allowing them to be cared for in their own homes at the end of their lives.

Supporters are encouraged to dedicate a light on the hospice tree in memory of a loved one in return for a small donation. Alternatively for £350 – the cost of a night of care – they can light up the hospice tower for a night in a colour of their choice, to celebrate someone special.

Gemma Taylor-Mahon, fundraising and marketing manager at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “Sponsoring a light on our tree or lighting up our tower is a special way of remembering a loved one. Your donations will not only shine a light on the memory of those special people but will also light up the lives of those the hospice will be caring for this winter and beyond.

“We associate the festive season with joyful family times but for those we care for and their families it can be an especially difficult period as our patients are coming to the end of their lives. By making a small donation you will help us make a difference to patients, providing care so they can be at home for their last Christmas.”

One family aware of this is the family of Ian Roper, of Sutton, as care from Nottinghamshire Hospice enabled Ian to remain in his home at the end of his life.

Ian was referred to the hospice in July as his wife, Kathleen, was having difficulty caring for him at home. Ian, who had arthritis, heart problems and prostate cancer that had spread, lost the use of his legs and was confined to bed.

Nottinghamshire Hospice stepped in with visits from the night support team, followed by overnight nursing shifts as his condition deteriorated.

Ian’s daughter, Liz, said: “Mum was really struggling. My sister and I helped as much as we could but when mum was on her own she was fearful. Mum is a proud lady and initially didn’t want to admit she needed help, but when the hospice team first came she said they were wonderful.

“It was so reassuring for her to have them there. It gave her rest. It meant she could sleep through the night. The people who came were superb. They were lovely with my dad and skilled at making him comfortable. Mum realised they were not just there for him, they were also there to support her.

“The hospice care was instrumental in allowing him to stay at home, which is where he wanted to be.”

Earlier on in his illness, Ian had been taken to a nursing home after being discharged from hospital but was adamant he wanted to be in his own home.

“Having dad home at the end of his life was the right thing to do and it’s helped the grieving process because we know we did our best to give him a peaceful end to his life. Taking him into a nursing home would have been very difficult with limited visiting due to Covid.”

Ian passed away at home at the end of July, aged 86, two weeks before his granddaughter’s wedding.

The family raised £1,500 through funeral donations to help the hospice, and Liz, her sister Helen and their mum Kathleen came to the hospice today (1^st December) to see the tower lit up in his memory. They chose purple, his favourite colour.

Liz said: “We thought this would be a special way of remembering Dad. He liked the colour purple which is associated with Advent. Dad was an active member of his church community and was a church warden for many years.”

Throughout the festive season, nursing teams from Nottinghamshire Hospice will be out day and night across the city and county, caring for people in their last days and hours of life.

Healthcare assistant Leanne, who worked the last two Christmases and is working this year too, said: “It’s really tough for families when someone is dying, especially at Christmas. It’s so important that we are there for patients, families and carers.

Leanne, who has four children, lost her own mother three years ago just before Christmas. “My mum died just before Christmas and it’s the worst thing ever. I had my children to think about and you get pulled in different directions. Having been there yourself helps you understand the emotions families are going through.”

Donations to the appeal will go towards the cost of end of life care, pain-reducing therapies and bereavement support for families and carers.

• £10 lights up the last moments of life
• £30 lights up two bereaved people’s days with support
• £50 lights the way for a nurse or healthcare assistant to reach a family
• £350 lights up a night in someone’s home

To support the appeal, go to https://www.nottshospice.org/light/