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Vivienne with husband George

A Chester le Street woman whose husband died last year, has pledged to join this year’s Light Up a Life appeal, run by St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

Vivienne Nell Nichols said she would be going along with son, Matthew in memory of George Nichols, who died of prostate cancer in September, 2013.

Vivienne said: “We went last year. It was a lovely service. It was so soon after George passed away. The cathedral was so beautiful.”

Last year’s service at Durham Cathedral was attended by hundreds of local people remembering their loved ones. This year’s, at the same venue, will be held at 7pm on December 14th.

Matthew and Vivienne light a candleVivienne said: “George spent six weeks at St Cuthbert’s Hospice. The people there were amazing. I owe the hospice a lot. We wouldn’t have managed at all without it. We were in the right place.

“I know the staff at the hospice are always here if I want them. I go and visit and I always feel comforted. I’ve put a memorial stone in the hospice memory garden and I come and have a coffee and go along to the nurses’ station. I always get a warm welcome.

Vivienne was pictured with Matthew last year, lighting a candle for George.

She said: “We will be going to this year’s event. We are looking forward to it.”

St Cuthbert’s Hospice Donor Development Co-ordinator, Kay Welsh, who has organied the event, said: “We are all very grateful to Vivienne’s support and to all the families who come along to Light Up a Life. It is a very poignant event but it does allow us to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died.”

Light up a Life is one of our biggest annual campaigns, and is mirrored by many other hospices across the UK. At this time of year, the hospice invites the community to remember a loved one and Light up a Life by donating to St Cuthbert’s Hospice. All names are entered into the Light up a Life book of remembrance which is dedicated at a special service at Durham Cathedral in December. ENDS

Register for Light Up a Life

Contact Cliff Edwards, Communications Co-ordinator on 0191 386 1170 or email cliff.edwards@stcuthbertshospice.co.uk

St Cuthbert’s Hospice, based at Merryoaks, Neville’s Cross, is a registered charity. Whilst some of the running costs are met by the NHS through local Commissioning Groups, a further £1.3million pounds per year has to be raised by the hospice to run the services, with much of the money coming from local events and fundraising activities. St Cuthbert’s Hospice opened in 1988 and provides care for people with life limiting conditions, as well as giving support to their families. The Day Hospice looks after up to fifteen patients four days a week, offering physiotherapy, complementary therapies, advice on symptom control and social activities.

The In Patient Unit, which opened in 2006 following a public appeal, allows the Hospice to offer 24 hour care for people living in Durham, Chester le Street and the surrounding areas.

 

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