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We help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.

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A third of our funding comes from the NHS, the remaining two thirds is raised from the generosity and support of people like you.

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Cheering from the beach hut

Family story Pier to Pier

Bethan and Cathlin will be leading family and friends on the Pier to Pier walk in memory of their mother, Susan Venables, who died at the Hospice in November 2024.

Sue’s husband, Robin, and friends will be cheering on the walkers from their beach hut on Frinton seafront, where it will also be used as a water stop station. The hut was a special place that Sue and the family had spent many happy hours at over the years. Robin writes:

My wife Sue was diagnosed with cancer this time last year at the age of 58 years. This was obviously a great shock to the family and the prognosis was not great.  This brought back memories of Sue’s own mother, who lost her fight against cancer at the age of 62. Sue was well aware of the effects of losing a mother so young, and was concerned as to how I and the children would navigate life without her. Sue was determined to fight the Cancer and went through Chemotherapy. 

Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated and she ended up back in hospital at the end of October. This was not a pleasant experience for Sue and, on the recommendation of a wonderful specialist nurse, Sue was transferred to St Helena Hospice at the start of November.

I have to admit I was not aware of what the Hospice really did at the time, I was aware of its existence but not of the support it could provide. As soon as we arrived at the Hospice we both felt a heavy load had been removed from our shoulders. After the ‘busy’ atmosphere of the hospital, everything seemed so calm there. The ward Sue was in was not like a hospital ward but was a lovely room, with views out onto the garden. 

The staff, both professional and volunteers, were so attentive and friendly. Sue felt that she could trust them to do their best. The doctors immediately set about trying to make Sue feel more comfortable with regards to her medication. 

Image: Sue with her dog - Sue was supported by St Helena Hospice

Sue with rescue dog, Floss

I was not aware that one of the main functions of the Hospice was to get patients back into their own environment with support, and this option was looked at for Sue to start with. The other real benefit of being in the Hospice was the support it also gave to family and friends. It was a much nicer environment for the family and friend to spend precious time with Sue – the food was a real bonus.

Sadly, after two weeks at the Hospice Sue passed peacefully away. Again the Hospice dealt with that difficult time in a very respectful and supportive manner.

Since that time we have always been more than willing to support the Hospice cause. We are well aware of the financial demands now put upon them and realise they can only exist with donations of any sort. My son, David, did a sponsored beard grow at the time raising an amazing £2,100.

So I am now very aware of what the benefits of the hospice movement and I am more than happy to support all they do. If you are on the walk look out for us. We will all be wearing printed tea shirts in memory of Sue and the hut is easy to spot as it has a Welsh Dragon on the front in honour of Sue’s roots.  

 

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Pam Dench of Clacton-on-Sea, has pledged to leave a gift in her Will to St Helena Hospice in gratitude for the care her husband Jeff received during his final days in 2020.

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After her dad died earlier this year, 12 year old Grace and her younger sister Rose continued counselling with St Helena so they could talk about how they feel.

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She trusted him and, importantly, he listened

"She died at home on her own terms and with such dignity and respect, and it was just amazing."

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The reason I really got involved with St Helena, is my dad, Duncan Brown, who unfortunately died in March 2019.

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Gardening while he looked on

So there I was, gardening outside the window while my father was watching from his room at the Hospice.

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