Christmas is a time for family and friends to be together and to share in the magic of the festive period. Every year, St Elizabeth Hospice provides vital care for hundreds of patients and their families living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, for many of whom it will be their last Christmas spent together.

For 2021, St Elizabeth Hospice is hosting its annual Christmas appeal, Be a Star. An appeal which encourages the community to support the hospice during this very special time of year.

One person who is familiar with the support St Elizabeth Hospice provides at Christmas time is Leanne Mann, whose mum, Lorraine Brown, was cared for during the Christmas period in 2019.This support enabled the family to enjoy Christmas together as well as help Lorraine attend Leanne's wedding before Lorraine's death in January 2020.

"Christmas is a special time for my family and I, like it is for many families. Spending time with one another, sharing gifts and enjoying the magic of the festive season, which brings people together."

"In December 2019, my family and I experienced first-hand this special care delivered by the fantastic hospice team when they cared for my Mum, Lorraine Brown."

"Without St Elizabeth Hospice, our Christmas would have been very different but thanks to their support we shared a normal family Christmas at the hospice. It was made more perfect because of where it was and, thanks to their care, Mum had the Christmas she deserved and we were able to have the family feeling we love and also create memories we will cherish forever."

"The fact we spent our last Christmas Day with Mum in the hospice surrounded by love and laughter is something I will always remember. I vividly recall the decorations in her room, the staff who snuck in her room Christmas morning to place wrapped presents in her room for her to open and the three-course meal with Prosecco and Bucks Fizz we enjoyed. It didn't feel different to a normal Christmas. We even stayed overnight Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day."

"We spent Christmas Day as any family would. Mum loved British comedy, especially Gavin and Stacey, so we had our Christmas evening in the hospice watching the Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey laughing together, which is such a lovely memory to have."

"As the staff had been a part of our journey throughout Mum's time at the hospice, a lot of them felt like family. After my wedding Mum showed them photos of the day and during Christmas they came to check in on us to see if we were ok and to make sure Mum was comfortable, but each time it wasn't as if a nurse was visiting it was more like another family member had come to join our day."

"I am so pleased Mum stayed at the hospice for Christmas, as their support meant Mum was comfortable at all time and we were able to really enjoy Christmas together as a family."

Help make a difference to families, just like Leanne's, this Christmas by donating to our Be a Star appeal today.