Robert's wife, Patricia, was cared for at home by Trinity's Specialist Community Nursing team. He writes about his personal experience of discovering the difference hospice could make and why he feels strongly about supporting Trinity financially in Patricia's memory.

"None of us really understands how important the hospice is until we are faced with the prospect of death, nor do we understand how deeply the death, and its manner, affects the immediate family.

I certainly had no idea what a hospice was or what they could do in the home as well as in the physical hospice. What surprised me most was that it was possible to have an extraordinary, shared experience of a beautiful death, with the right support.

Without the hospice, I am certain this wouldn’t have been possible. I, and my family, feel so fortunate to have had this support from Royal Trinity Hospice. It makes me very sad, even angry, to know that many people will not have this support, and that provision of hospice care is a postcode lottery and further that the hospice movement depends on charity for the majority of its funding. Now that I know how precarious the funding for hospice care is, I know it is my duty to help others on this journey. I want others to have the same support I had, and which was so important in helping me cope with the loss of the love of my life and partner for 42 years.

I have chosen to support the Royal Trinity Hospice because I can’t think of a better way to say thank-you to the brilliant team, make a fitting tribute to Patricia and help others find peace and dignity. 

Until the Government recognises the inequity of failing to support all citizens, and their families, through the inevitable journey to death then those of us who are lucky enough to have the means to do so should support the hospice movement. Having experienced the hospice movement at its best I can’t think of a better way of putting money to work to support people at their most vulnerable as they approach death and allow their families to remember them in the best circumstances possible, dying with dignity."