In 2019, we received the devastating news that Dad had bowel cancer. We were told he had six months without chemotherapy, or 12 to 18 months with it. Of course, he chose to fight. Sadly, the chemotherapy only made him more unwell and didn’t help him beat this cruel disease.

In May 2020, during the height of COVID, we were told the cancer had spread and there was nothing more that could be done. With the incredible support of the district nurses and the ART team, we cared for Dad at home 24/7. We never wanted him to go into a hospice — especially during COVID when we may not have been able to visit. As hard as it was, there was nowhere else we would rather he had been than at home, surrounded by us.

It was during this time that the nurses suggested we contact Marie Curie.

We were told they would help with Dad’s care and offer us some respite. But that description doesn’t even come close to what they truly did for us.

I call them our angels. We were drowning, and without them, we would have completely gone under. They supported us emotionally, cared for Dad with such compassion, and most importantly, helped him remain comfortable and dignified. They spent time talking with him, sitting with him, and simply being there — for all of us.

Dad passed away in June 2020, just two days before Father’s Day, with Mum by his side. Even on that day, our Marie Curie angels were there supporting us. I will be forever grateful to these incredible people. They are truly one of a kind, and “thank you” will never feel enough.

As we don’t seem any closer to curing this awful disease, I’ve turned my focus to raising money to ensure that other families can receive the same care and compassion that we did.

Please help me make sure that families facing the darkest of times have access to the incredible support of Marie Curie. No one should have to face it without these angels.

Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system.

Marie Curie is a charity working across the UK and we need your support to do our vital work.