Bereaved daughter issues special Xmas St Giles appeal

A daughter whose parents were cared for at St Giles Hospice has launched a special festive appeal to create special memories for families spending their last Christmas together with the West Midlands charity.

2023 marks the first year that Hazel faces Christmas without her beloved mum, Beryl, and she has chosen to share her story to help other local people that are entering the festive season at the hospice.

Hazel's mum, Beryl, was admitted to the St Giles Inpatient Unit towards the end of last year, following a battle with cancer. The family already had a long-standing relationship with St Giles, following the death of Hazel’s dad, Roger, who was also cared for at the hospice, just a couple of years earlier.

Hazel said: “As soon as Mum arrived at St Giles, I remember she just seemed so comfortable. Everything was taken care of, and we could just enjoy spending time together.

“The whole hospice felt so warm and welcoming, and we were able to come and go as often as we wanted. For Mum, spending Christmas at St Giles was like spending Christmas at home”

Each year the team at St Giles dedicate their time to help patients and their loved ones  celebrate and create special memories, for what might be their last Christmas together.

Hazel added: “The staff became like family and were always going above and beyond for us, as they do for patients all year round. We always used to spend Christmas together as a family, and that didn’t change whilst Mum was at St Giles. We were even able to take Mum’s dog, Pippa, in to see her.

“My family and I are so thankful that Mum got to spend her final Christmas at St Giles. The support they provide is second to none.

“Throughout the festive season, we all begin to think about where we’d like to spend our money. We would have been lost without St Giles, which is why I’d encourage you to donate this Christmas, no matter how big or small.”

It costs around £10 million to deliver the care St Giles provides each year, with rising costs and an increase in demand for services. It is only with the support of the community that they can continue to make a difference to local people. Donations can be made online at www.stgileshospice.com/christmas-care/  

£20 could give a patient and their loved ones a final Christmas meal together

£40 could help make special memories for a family spending their last Christmas together at St Giles.

£80 could pay for three hours of one to one nursing care for a patient this Christmas.

£200 could pay for visits to a patient in their own home by St Giles community nurses this Christmas.