When Beryl’s boiler stopped working, for safety reasons the gas company could not carry out the work to replace it while she was at home inside with her oxygen equipment. Without family nearby with space enough to accommodate her, she chose to have a respite stay at the hospice.

Beryl knew she would be in safe hands and have a restful week, as she had stayed as an inpatient earlier in the year after the shock news that her heart and lungs had deteriorated:

“I said to my husband, John, that the hospice was the only place I’d go and we'd just have to be cold if they couldn’t take me. That's where I want to go and that’s where I went!

“I arrived there and everybody was lovely. They greeted me and they were so happy and laughing and jolly. There was nothing they wouldn't do for you. The food was absolutely lovely, as much as you like, whenever you like. It was just so lovely to me. It was my little bit of heaven on Earth with my little wingless angels looking after me.

“I was just happy to be in there and just watch everybody going by. I have a good time up there with all the laughing and a good old chat with the nurses, it was really nice.

“I could lay in my bed, look out the window and see the little squirrels and the birds. I felt happy there. It was a lovely feeling to be in there.”