Over the last 18 months our family has benefited from the amazing services hospices provide. It is absolutely mind blowing to know that these INCREDIBLE services are offered out to the community free of charge.

And that doesn’t just happen, it takes a village, an army. I have always supported the hospice events where I could but understanding a little more about the increasing pressure the hospices are under, means I will be doing it with extra vigour this year.

As those close to me know, cancer has been in our lives non stop over the last two years. I’ll say it again. Hospice support is INCREDIBLE.

The Hospice of St Francis is a charity which helps 2,000 local people and their families, in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to live their precious lives well by improving symptoms, achieving personal goals and helping them to feel safe.

Defined by each person’s need, our free care for people managing, or recovering from, serious illness has many forms – care at the Hospice, at Home, or in our Health and Wellbeing Centre which offers courses, workshops, clinics and therapies.

Based in beautiful surroundings just outside Berkhamsted, we’re also here for family, friends and carers.

We offer advice for those worried about a loved one which could mean recommending group activities, supporting children through a close relative’s illness or providing practical support and advice when someone special is no longer here.