His wife Marion and daughters, Serena Magee and Clare Dorrell, are enjoying being together outside in the fresh air surrounded by daffodils and tweeting birds. Serena shares what moments like this mean to them all…

We didn't think Dad was going to make it through the first few days but the amazing job they've done! They make sure he eats, drinks, they wash him. They make sure he has his hankie every day that he loves. They noticed that Dad likes to have his hankie; that's where you realise that they actually do really care. Dad's been here three weeks and I see how respectful all the nurses are with people and their families, even when people have passed, it's just incredible. 

The other day I came out and just sat and looked at the daffodils, just a simple little thing but the little things make you realise what actually matters, Seeing a few daffodils, that does just help.

The way the nurses are; they're dealing with the patient but they're also treating the family. Dad could be asleep but they can sense if we are upset and they'll try and do little things. Last night, I stayed and I brought my laptop and we watched the Arsenal football match together. Everyone had gone, but Dad and I just sat there quietly watching it. They'll do anything to try that little extra thing that creates something special, like my sister has been going to sit and do a jigsaw in the lounge if she needs a break. All these things you don't realise go on. You go into the kitchen and they're cooking fresh scones and just to be able to sit down in the lounge and to have something like that. It makes me want to volunteer here at the Hospice.

My little boy has joined the school council and he went into school and quoted to them how many meals at the hospice £100 would pay for! He’d sat in the reception here and he'd read the leaflets, went into his school council and said, if everybody in the school donates a pound, we could get £600 and help them.

I just wish there was more that could be done. Until anyone in the government or anyone else has a family member supported by the Hospice, they don't realise how important this is. Until you're in this position, you don't realise how much it's needed. 

So we're very lucky. Being together out here in the sunshine in the garden, you can't get these days back. This is priceless, this is real life and what it's all about.  

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