Mike Vogel - Dad - was diagnosed with prostate cancer and after some years of treatment reached the end of his illness in February 2012.

When a bed became available he was moved to St John's, the Sue Ryder hospice at Moggerhanger, where he was cared for during the last three days of his life. The specialised staff are incredibly kind and the environment tranquil. It meant a lot to us to be able to sleep next to dad for those nights. The staff on Elizabeth Ward in Bedford Hospital, who first cared for him that week, were absolutely lovely and a credit to the NHS - but it was a very pressured place.  We were so relieved to get Dad to Sue Ryder.

The staff there helped us to understand what Dad was going through in the final hours of his life, how to help him die in comfort and dignity, and how to keep him company. They also helped his family to come to terms with what was happening.

We will always be grateful to Sue Ryder and we set up this page for Dad's sake.