Eric had been nursing his wife Marilyn at home for the best part of two years. Eric told us: Marilyn wanted to be at home and I had promised her that she would not have to go into hospital, but things were becoming difficult for me to manage.

The district nurse said three words. She said: You need help.

Health Care Assistants from HospiceCare began to visit their home and quickly put Marilyn at her ease. Eric says: From the garden, I could hear Marilyn chatting. I could hear them laughing and exchanging stories. After the weekend, having chatted to the carers and so on, she felt more relaxed about accepting help. She had met a new group of friends who she could talk to and who probably understood her, and what she was going through, better than I did.

I was able to get Marilyns three children up and they were beside her bed when she died. She continued to smile right through those final hours. It was so important that things did go smoothly, and I am absolutely full of praise for your Hospice at Home Team.

Whatever you can give, your donation brings hospice care to people in their familiar surroundings with their loved ones, day or night, throughout North Northumberland.

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To donate in a different way, or make your donation regular, email: fundraising@hospicecare-nn.org.uk