Thousands of lights have been lit in memory and celebration of loved ones as part of an annual campaign by St Richard’s Hospice.
More than 2,100 names have been dedicated so far with donations raising funds to support the charity’s care of patients and their families.
Two services were held at Worcester Cathedral last Friday (17 November 2023) offering a place for the community to come together, light candles and reflect on precious memories of loved ones.
Amongst those gathered were the Bader family, celebrating the life of Laura Bader, a much-loved mum of four, wife and daughter.
Here her husband, James, shares the family’s care story:
“I remember our very first meeting with St Richard’s when the news wasn’t good from the consultant. Our secondary Breast Cancer Nurse, Sue, took us to one side. It was like a virtual arm around us as she helped make sense of a world we knew nothing about.
“Sue was amazing – no question was too big or too small. Laura wanted to be at home for our four children, to read bedtime stories to our two-year-old. Throughout Laura’s illness, Sue and Community Nurse, Bernie, coordinated her treatment, support, equipment and physio whilst also proving emotional support so Laura could keep being Laura in her own surroundings.
“There was support for me too. Talking to Ingrid from the Family Support Team helped me process what was happening and prepare for what was to come. Child and Family Support Practitioner, Pam, was able to support our three oldest children during Laura’s illness and also provided training for teachers at their school so they too could help them through these challenging times.
“After Laura died in May 2023 St Richard’s was still with us as Ingrid and Pam continued their support.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for the whole family but at every point on the journey someone from St Richard’s has been by our sides.”
If you’d like to remember a loved one and help us be there for more families like Laura’s, please visit Lights of Love.
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity caring for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment to their last days and supporting those important to them.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It costs £10.28m to run the hospice (22/23 audited accounts), which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.