What makes your festive season truly special? Is it the laughter of loved ones gathered around, the joy of giving, or the warmth of shared moments?

For patients and families sharing the festive period together on our In-Patient Unit, we recognise that this might be somebody’s last Christmas. For those who are in that position, making the most of the time they are given is vital. Those in our care place their trust in us – and so we do everything we can to make them feel at home, to bring laughter and joy, and to help them create special moments with those they love most.

But we can’t do it without you.

We need your help to go the extra mile – and make this Christmas extra special for our patients and those they love. With your support, we’ll give those in our care the chance to make the very most of their last Christmas. Will you help by making a donation today?

My name is Becky and I’ll be right there with our families this Christmas, working at The Kirkwood’s Hospice. Christmas is such a special time; a chance to be with the ones you love, to reminisce, to make special memories. For people are in our care during the festive period, the patients’ and families’ last memories of each other are going to be here. So we have to make it special.

We are always mindful of how poorly many of our patients are, but we don’t just think ‘it’s sad here so we won’t celebrate Christmas’. We do everything we can to create a happy, calm and festive environment. We really go to town on the trimmings and make sure it feels Christmassy. We decorate patients’ rooms; some families bring their own decorations in and really go to town! Families often come onto the unit for the first time and say ‘wow’. Nothing’s just thrown together. It’s really well thought out, and my colleagues take a real pride in making the unit feel warm, inviting and special.

It’s probably hard to imagine the warmth and comfort that a festive atmosphere can bring for those who are facing the most difficult time of their lives. But for those in our care, it makes a huge difference. Your help this year will directly impact the lives of every single patient, relative or friend spending Christmas or the New Year in our hospice.

Will you consider giving a gift today to help make Christmas extra special for those in our care? Anything you felt able to give would make this Christmas a whole lot brighter for somebody near you.

Many thanks and Merry Christmas,

Becky Ainley

Practice Development Nurse with The Kirkwood