Our beautiful, selfless, and caring Mam, Lottie, left us suddenly on 9th December 💔.

She was admitted to Ward 30 at the Freeman Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Centre on 12th November, where she was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Mam spent just over three weeks in hospital, and during that time she built up her strength, enjoyed chatting and laughing with her ward pals, and made a lasting impression on the doctors and nursing staff — in true Lottie style!

Those weeks in hospital gave us precious time with her. We laughed with her every single day and told her how much we loved her, moments we may not have shared so fully had we not received this diagnosis.

Mam was discharged from The Freeman on Friday 5th December so she could come home and spend time with her family, but heartbreakingly, that time was far shorter than we had hoped.

We visited Mam every day. Part of our routine became stopping at the CHUF kiosk next to the children’s heart ward to pick up our cups of tea, Crunchie bars, and Mini Cheddars before heading up in the lift to Ward 30. The volunteers were always so kind, and we found comfort in that small ritual.

The ward staff, Mam's ward buddies, and that little kiosk, became a place of warmth for us during a very difficult time, and we will always look back on those moments with deep gratitude and fondness and so we would like to offer donations to their charity in Mam's memory.