St Helena Hospice is a name I've grown up with from when it opened in 1985. I remember the building as a farmhouse and I remember the fields around it before Highwoods housing estate was there, that’s where as children we used to go and play.

We used to sledge down the hill and into the hedge at the bottom of Highwoods Country Park when we were small, before the lake was there when it was just a tiny little stream. 

I remember when The Queen Mother came to open the Hospice, we were supposed to be at school but we weren't, we were lining up the road on the way to the Hospice instead!

And it's gone almost full circle: it was a farmhouse where we played, then I saw it open as a hospice, and then saw firsthand what an amazing job they do there - and it is an amazing job.

My wife's dad, Peter, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, unfortunately, just before Covid. But then it spread and went to his bones and it was really sad considering he was such a lively, friendly man. One of the things that sticks in my mind was, at his funeral one of the guys that he mentored as an engineering underwriter in the city said the world needs more of Peter because he was such a nice man. It's harsh when things like that happen to people that have never hurt anybody in their whole life.

Chris (2nd from right) with Craig, Richard and Georgina from Total Clean in support of St Helena

We've got a picture of him sitting in a bath with a glass of red wine and some chocolate cake because they said what is your favourite thing in the whole world? and that's what he said and that's what they gave him.

He was in there for two weeks and they were so caring, not just towards him but towards the whole family, it was just nothing was too much trouble.  When I first went to visit, I was surprised to see a dog called Elvis! It's lovely because it brings some normality to the situation, and it focuses your attention on something else as well. Peter was by the window that looked over the pond and because he was paralysed by the cancer at that point, they moved his bed round so he could then sit and look out the window at the garden.

It didn't feel medical there at all by any stretch of the imagination. It's homely, friendly, safe. You're putting your trust in it for a loved one at a horrendous time. He enjoyed his time there and it took the stress out, because it was taking a toll on Julie and her sister. It's so hard because you're trying to be upbeat the whole time and then they're just watching their dad slowly disappear. 

Peter wanted to come home and be surrounded by his family. Carers and equipment were organised by the hospice and my wife could phone SinglePoint for support if she needed to. 

Peter with his daughters Julie and Yvonne

Peter with his daughter Julie and his wife Lynda

Peter with his grandson and Lynda