St Luke's News Spring 2022

Spring 2022

St Luke’s News

P6-8 Wildflower Memories P9 Jubilee Jackpot P10-11 St Luke’s at Home

Welcome reach. The ethos of the hospice is one of care and compassion. This never changes and, in this edition, we launch our new ‘St Luke’s at Home’ Community Night Service which will support more local people in their own homes.

Lady Redmond MBE HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire

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elcome to your special Royal Jubilee edition of St Luke’s News in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, an incredible marker in history and for memories in many people’s lives. As President of St Luke’s Hospice and Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, I am delighted to be involved in this special edition and share with you how proud we can all be of the work that has been accomplished by the teams at St Luke’s through these recent challenging times.

I know that the care given is only possible by receiving your kind support.

Since the official opening of the hospice

by HRH Prince and HRH Princess of Wales in May 1988, St Luke’s has helped thousands of local families, constantly improved its services and extended its

I hope you are looking forward to brighter days as signs of Spring appear. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a chance for our community to remember the great suffering caused by the pandemic and give thanks that it is coming to an end, whilst celebrating Her Majesty’s remarkable, unstinting 70 years of service to the Nation and the Commonwealth. A great chance for our community to get together again at last.

There are so many ways you can show your support for St Luke’s and I hope as you read this newsletter it gives you some ideas. Whether it is holding a tea party, buying tickets for our ‘Jubilee Jackpot’, or donating to our Wildflower Memories Appeal, your support is so appreciated and vital to keeping St Luke’s going!

Thank you.

With my very best wishes and special thanks.

Lady Redmond MBE HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire President of St Luke’s Hospice

How to contact us St Luke’s Hospice, Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1BH

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T 01606 551246 E enquiries@slhospice.co.uk www.slhospice.co.uk

Christmas appeal funds vital equipment to know that they have helped to raise so much money for St Luke’s.

Rod’s daughter Katy Gibson said: “We are so pleased the appeal was a success and that it will make such a difference to the hospice, to help patients like my Dad. At a time when we felt powerless to help Dad, and then during our time of sorrow when he passed, it has been important and motivating to see his story, our story, playing a part towards helping others.

Rod pictured with his daughter Katy and grandsons Cameron and Findlay in the garden at the hospice last summer

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ur sincere thanks to everyone who generously supported our Christmas appeal to fund new syringe drivers for the Inpatient Unit.

We are delighted to tell you that the appeal raised an incredible £30,641 which has funded the 12 new syringe drivers on our wish list. A syringe driver is a vital piece of equipment which helps our clinical team manage symptoms and pain, and keeps patients more comfortable.

The appeal was supported by patient Rod Cash and his family who kindly shared their experiences of our Inpatient Unit.

Sadly Rod died at the hospice just before Christmas but his family are comforted

“It is ever more meaningful knowing Dad benefitted from the syringe driver and pain relief in his final days. As a family we remain forever grateful to St Luke’s and will continue to support the hospice in whatever way we can.”

Syringe drivers last for approximately ten years so this appeal will provide comfort and relief to hundreds of patients at St Luke’s in the years ahead.

Nurse Leah McAteer with a syringe driver

If you would like to make a donation or raise money to support the care we provide, please call 01606 551246 or visit www.slhospice.co.uk/donate. We really would appreciate your support.

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Royal connections A

s we look ahead to this Summer and the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we are also reflecting on the decades gone by and our own royal ‘connections’ over the years.

We have been very fortunate over our 34 year history to have welcomed several members of the Royal family to the hospice. Perhaps as you read this and look at the photographs, you may remember some of these visits from articles in the local press, or perhaps you were here yourself!

Since the official opening of the hospice by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales in May 1988, St Luke’s has helped thousands of local families and extended its reach, constantly improving its services. The 1990s saw the opening of the inpatient facility and a visit by HRH The Duchess of Kent who laid a foundation stone.

The hospice was once again honoured in 2008 when HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited to present our valued volunteers with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Most recently HRH The Earl of Wessex enjoyed a tour of the Hospice to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2018.

St Luke’s has continued to grow its services over the years, including this year as we launch our ‘St Luke’s at Home’ Community Night Service. Thanks to you, our community, for your unwavering support over the years - we couldn’t do it without you!

May 18th 1988 - The Prince and Princess of Wales officially open the hospice

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June 6th 1995 - The Duchess of Kent lays the foundation stone for a new extension

To learn more about Royal visits to the hospice and the history of St Luke’s please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/history

10th July 2008 - The Duke of Gloucester presents St Luke’s with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

19th November 2018 - The Earl of Wessex visits in celebration of the hospice’s 30th anniversary

Are you celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee?

The Platinum Jubilee celebrates 70 years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign and we’re calling on you to mark the occasion with your very own celebration and fundraiser for St Luke’s.

This once in a lifetime event is the perfect opportunity to bring together friends, neighbours and communities in joint celebration. If you are planning a get together why not make it all the more meaningful by choosing to fundraise for patient care at the hospice?

Perhaps you are thinking of organising a street party, or gathering with your friends or family for a coffee morning or afternoon tea? Whatever you do, have lots of fun and tell us all about it!

You can find out more about fundraising for St Luke’s by visiting: www.slhospice.co.uk/queensjubilee or contact a member of the Community Team by emailing community@slhospice.co.uk or calling 01606 555811.

To find out more about getting involved in community fundraising this summer visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/queensjubilee

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“If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden” – Alfred Tennyson Grow your memories by planting beautiful wildflowers in memory of a loved one this year.

Wildflowers are not only lovely to look at, but they will add colour and vibrancy to your garden, whilst also helping butterflies and bees to flourish.

You can either plant our ‘Wildflower Memories’ seeds in your own garden – and enjoy watching memories of your loved ones bloom – or you can send the seeds and card to someone special as a unique and meaningful gift.

When you make a donation to our ‘Wildflower Memories Appeal’, we will send you a special packet of St Luke’s wildflower seeds and a bespoke greetings card - both beautifully designed especially for our supporters 6

by a local Cheshire illustrator.

Our wildflower seeds are supplied by quality seed supplier Mr Fothergill’s.

The seeds are a mix of annual and perennial wildflowers meaning the flowers will continue to bloom, keeping memories alive year after year.

Look for me, in a starry night.

Look for me, in morning’s light.

Look for me, among wild flowers.

Look for me, during Springtime showers.

Look for me, in a sparrow’s song.

Look for me, forever long.

For I am gone, but still right here.

Just watch for signs, that I am near.

To make a donation to our Wildflower Memories Appeal please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/wildflowers

Growing your Wildflower Memories

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very donation to our Wildflower Appeal, however much, will help St Luke’s continue to care for and support over 1,000 patients and their families each year at a time when they need our help the most.

Some of the ways your kind donation can help...

£10.91 will pay for snacks, drinks and meals for a patient for a day

£15.80

£22.85 pays for an hour of complementary therapy for a patient

Wildflowers grow where memories of loved ones bloom…

will pay for a day’s pain relief for someone staying on the Inpatient Unit

£31.04 pays for an hour of nursing care

To order your Wildflower Memories seeds and card, please visit:

www.slhospice.co.uk/wildflowers or complete the order form overleaf and return to us with your chosen donation.

www.slhospice.co.uk/wildflowers

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Title

First name

Surname

Address Postcode Email

Phone

My donation My donation is in memory of (optional) I enclose a cheque for my chosen donation of £ Please make cheques payable to St Luke's (Cheshire) Hospice and return with this form to: St Luke's Hospice, Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1BH.

Gift Aid it, at no extra cost to you

.........................................................................................................................................

My details

If you are a UK taxpayer, the Inland Revenue will contribute an extra 25p for every £1 you donate through Gift Aid. Please tick the box below to make your donation worth 25% more.

I want to Gift Aid this donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past four years to St Luke's Hospice. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Signed Date

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ou could be celebrating like the Queen this summer if you win £5,000 in our Jubilee Jackpot raffle.

With tickets priced at just £1, our Jubilee-themed raffle is a fun and easy way to raise money for St Luke’s whilst giving you the chance to win one of our amazing cash prizes.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning, please return your raffle tickets in the envelope provided or send to: St Luke’s Jubilee Jackpot St Luke’s Hospice Promotions Ltd. Grosvenor House Queensway, Winsford CW7 1BH

£5,000 grand prize £1,000 second prize £500 third prize £250 fourth prize Plus 5 runners up of £70

Alternatively, you can enter online now at:

www.slhospice.co.uk/JubileeJackpot 75p from the sale of each ticket goes directly to patient care, 15p is used for prizes and 10p is used for administration costs.

Terms and conditions: The draw will take place on Friday 9th September 2022 and the winners will be notified by telephone or letter.

The likelihood of winning a prize is a 1 in 5,116 chance, however the patients and families we care for win with every £1 ticket bought (figure based on Summer draw 2021)

Enter our Jubilee Jackpot online www.slhospice.co.uk/JubileeJackpot

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Introducing ‘St Luke’s at Home’

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hen caring at home for a loved one with a palliative condition, we know it is the nights that can often feel the toughest. As well as exhaustion from broken sleep, patients and carers tell us they can feel alone and wracked with worries during the small hours.

We are therefore pleased to announce an extension to our services at the Hospice to help support patients and carers in their own homes overnight.

St Luke’s at Home will launch this Spring with a ‘Community Night Service’ provided by our experienced Health Care Assistants.

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Director of Care Kate Estcourt explains: “If a patient requires support overnight, perhaps with medication, pain management or going to the toilet, we can arrange a Community Night Service.

“One of St Luke’s Health Care Assistants will stay with the patient all night in their own home from 10pm to 8am, allowing their carer to have a muchneeded night’s sleep so that they are fresh for the next day.

“If the Health Care Assistant needs further support to manage the patient’s symptoms overnight then they will be able to contact the medical team at the Hospice for advice.”

www.slhospice.co.uk/athome

St Luke’s vision is for all people living with a life limiting illness in our community to have access to the care and support they need, whenever and wherever they need it, and our Community Night Service is an important first step in that long term plan. The St Luke’s at Home service will complement and support other community care services with the aim of: •

helping reduce emergency hospital admissions

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helping more people to live independently for as long as possible

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enabling carers to be more resilient so they can look after loved ones at home for as long as possible

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providing emotional support and care for patients and their families

Give every month so we can be here every day... and night!

If you would like to support our new Community Night Service, please consider becoming a ‘Friend of St Luke’s’ by giving a regular donation.

A monthly donation of just £10 for example, will make a big difference and allow us to plan for the future for this service, as well as build on our existing services at the Hospice.

As a small local charity, 85% of our funding comes from you, our community, generously donating, fundraising and supporting our shops and events. Without your support, St Luke’s simply couldn’t exist.

For more information about becoming our ‘friend’ please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/friends

www.slhospice.co.uk/friends

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You’ve got a friend in me...

Everything in life is a little easier if you have a good friend by your side.

This is certainly true for neighbours Diane Johnson and Diane Gowen from Davenham who have been friends for more than 30 years and are both now being supported by St Luke’s.

65 year old Diane Johnson said: “It is daunting going to a hospice for the first time as you think everyone will be miserable, but the staff make it so easy, there is always a smile. They are happy to see you and they make you realise that a hospice is not just a place that you go to die.

“We’ve had some great laughs in Day Hospice. Some weeks a person in the group might have been feeling unwell or struggling, but they always left laughing.

As a group we talked about everything, even our funerals, and we shared our feelings and really took strength from each other.”

The friends have recently attended Wellbeing Days together in our Day Hospice to help with symptom management and for emotional support – Diane Johnson for metastatic cancer and Diane Gowen for thyroid cancer.

They were able to share lifts to the hospice from Davenham and took comfort in being able to attend together and meet other people in similar situations.

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They are happy to see you and they make you realise that a hospice is not just a place that you go to die.

To find out more about the services offered at our Day Hospice please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/dayhospice

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Neighbours Diane Johnson (left) and Diane Gowen (right)

As part of the Wellbeing Days the ladies both received vital advice from clinical staff about managing their symptoms, including pain and breathlessness.

They also enjoyed complementary therapies including Reiki and Reflexology which helped them to relax.

truly value their friendship and the strength they take from each other.

Diane added: “For me, St Luke’s has changed my life. I was in terrible pain and used to go everywhere with a pillow and a cushion because I was in so much pain and couldn’t get comfortable. After the first session the nurse had a chat with me and arranged for me to see a palliative care doctor who sorted my medication and now I’m like a different person, the pain has gone. I can’t thank St Luke’s enough.”

Meanwhile 76 year old grandma-of-four, Diane Gowen, says that attending the Wellbeing Day was the highlight of her week: “Knowing I was going there on Monday gave me such a lift. Nothing is too much trouble for the nurses and no problem is too small. I could talk to them about anything. I know that if I need advice I can call them and they are there for me, and it is so comforting to know that.”

“We both have lots of good friends and very supportive families but you don’t want to burden them. It’s a different feeling chatting with someone else who has cancer. I’m totally relaxed with Di and it’s nice to have someone I can talk honestly with.”

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St Luke’s makes you realise that there is a life after cancer. There is a life even if you’ve got cancer and you’ve got a prognosis like we’ve got. You can still enjoy life and still have a laugh.

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The friends saw in the New Year with their neighbours on the lane

“We’re lucky, Di and I,” explains Diane Gowen. “Our lane where we live is fantastic, we’ve danced in the street during lockdown, clapped for the NHS and we always celebrate everyone’s birthdays. We’ll be getting the bunting out for the Queen’s Jubilee this summer.

The ladies’ course of Wellbeing Days at St Luke’s has now ended but as neighbours they continue to meet up weekly for a cuppa and a chat and If you would like to become a ‘Friend of St Luke’s’ by making a regular donation to the hospice, please call 01606 551246 or visit www.slhospice.co.uk/friends

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Shop sustainably and support St Luke’s ne way in which you can support St Luke’s whilst helping the environment is to donate your unwanted clothes to our shops. With Spring right around the corner, why not take the time to sort through your old clothes and accessories for hidden gems you’re tired of but which someone else might love.

The clothes you donate and send to our shops will be sorted, steamed and put out on display waiting to find their new loving home - a far nicer outcome than a horrible landfill site!

Shopping sustainably is one of the best ways to help tackle climate change. Did you know:

Not only does donating your clothes help the environment, it also makes a big difference to patient care as on average every bag of donated clothes raises £19 for our Hospice!

We need YOU in 2022!

We need lovely people like you to volunteer a few hours a week in our shops to sort and steam clothes and help serve customers in our local community.

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Thinking of the incredible work the nurses do at St Luke’s gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and give back through volunteering.

(Pete, a volunteer at our Crewe shop)

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To learn more about volunteering visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/volunteer

Pete and Sharon who volunteer at our Crewe shop

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For details of our shops and Warehouse please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/shops

Fabulous furniture

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ur Furniture Warehouse in Winsford is full of amazing items that can be given a new lease of life for your home. One of our supporters knows just how amazing our Warehouse is as she frequently visits to buy old furniture which she upcycles and turns into wonderful one-of-a-kind items!

Just over three years ago, Imogen Aitchison from Northwich set up Coco & Clementine which specialises in upcycled and customised furniture.

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She said: “St Luke’s is my first port of call when I’m looking for furniture.

Sometimes I know what I’m looking for, particularly if a customer has given me a specific brief and more often than not I find it here, other times I turn up and it’s completely spontaneous what I buy! Then the lovely guys from St Luke’s deliver it and I can get started on giving it a new lease of life.”

The sustainability factor certainly makes me feel good about what I do and it’s nice to know you’re giving a piece of furniture a second life and making it beautiful again but also supporting such a good cause at the same time.

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Imogen sanding down a desk she bought from our Warehouse

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If Imogen has inspired you, why not pay a visit to our Warehouse where we have new stock daily. You are guaranteed a warm welcome.

To find out more about our Furniture Warehouse and plan a visit yourself please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/furniture-warehouse

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Social Work and Benefits Q&A

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ocial Work and Benefits Advice are services we provide at the hospice which you may not be aware of.

Specialist palliative care social workers can offer a wide variety of support to both the patient and those who are important to them.

We are fortunate to have two Social Workers, Linda Holmes and Linda Pritchard, as well as a Welfare Benefits Advisor, Jill Robey. Together they have worked here at St Luke’s for more than 30 years and in just the last 12 months have helped patients claim more than £400,000 in support they are entitled to.

We sat down with the team to find out how important Social Work and Benefits Advice is to patients and their families…

Q. What is Social Work and Benefits Advice?

Linda H: “We work with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families who have an involvement with St Luke’s, perhaps through our Day Hospice or Inpatient Unit. I work mainly with patients on the Inpatient Unit, helping with planning if they are discharged. For example they may need care support at home or 24 hour care by moving into a nursing home. I help them navigate that – checking what documentation needs to be filled in, accessing funding and liaising with various agencies. It’s very much about working with patients, their support networks and families.”

Linda P: “The role is very varied and can involve arranging care at home for patients, rehoming pets, referrals to other services such as counselling, as well as looking at alternative housing options for people whose homes no longer meet their needs. Each day can be very different as we don’t always know what is going to be asked of us, but we are used to planning with uncertainty.”

Jill Robey and Linda Pritchard

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For more information about our Benefits and Social Work service visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/socialwork

Q. You’ve all been with St Luke’s for a long time - you must find it rewarding work?

Linda Holmes from our Social Work team

Jill: “I’m funded in partnership between St Luke’s and Citizen’s Advice Cheshire East and my service is really based in the community around the more financial side. It’s making sure people are claiming what they can and I can help ensure they are getting the maximum they are entitled to.”

Q. Do you find the role can be challenging?

Linda H: “We often see people at a very desperate point in their lives and for them to allow you to be involved at that point is a privilege. We all find it immensely rewarding to help patients and their families in whatever way we can.”

Jill: “Sometimes, through a diagnosis or admission to the Hospice, you see families that might not be so close, come together and solve their issues. That’s always really lovely to see.”

Linda P: “I enjoy my work and get a lot of job satisfaction from being able to help people from all walks of life no matter what their circumstances.”

Jill: “Some people feel there’s a stigma attached to claiming benefits due to its poor reputation in the press.

We try to encourage them that this is what they’re entitled to and that there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Linda H: “We deal with people within the context of their support networks which might be family, carers or friends, so we aim to support the whole network when we can through these life-changing transitions. This can be difficult when perhaps the patient or family members don’t agree with each other on what is needed.”

For more information about our Benefits and Social Work service visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/socialwork

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Queen’s Nurse

The application process is rigorous and Kirsty was supported in her application by her manager and patients. Kirsty was awarded the honour for demonstrating a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.

Kirsty said: “I feel really honoured to have been given the title of Queen’s Nurse. I love my job and I want to do more to raise the profile of lymphoedema and I hope that this will give me a platform to do so.

Kirsty Sewell-Threadgold Lymphoedema Specialist

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As a nurse I want to be in a position where I can help people and positively shape their lives in whatever way I can, and this gives me an opportunity to build on that.

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e are delighted that Kirsty Sewell-Threadgold, a specialist in lymphoedema management at the hospice, has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by the community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

“I’m a little nervous but also very excited. There are annual meetings and opportunities to network with other Queen’s Nurses and I’m really looking forward to that.”

Kate Estcourt, Director of Care at St Luke’s Hospice, said: “Kirsty, along with the lymphoedema team, provide an outstanding service to local patients within our community and I’m thrilled that her hard work and dedication to her patients has been recognised.”

Lymphoedema is a long-term condition which causes swelling in the body’s tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms and legs, and is caused by a failure of the lymphatic system which can be the result of an inherited genetic condition, cancer treatment, injury or infection. St Luke’s lymphoedema clinics support around 1,000 patients each year.

For more information about our Lymphoedema clinics and other hospice services please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/lymphoedema

A special offer for our supporters

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e’re pleased to offer our valued supporters the opportunity to make a Will for FREE online.

We have a limited number of free wills available via bereavement support specialists Guardian Angel. So if you’ve delayed writing your Will, or wish to write a new Will, now is the perfect opportunity!

When, or if, the time is right for you to remember a charity in your Will please remember our Hospice.

Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are provided for in the future.

It’s also a really kind thing to do, so that it is easier for your family and friends to sort everything out after your death.

For example, a gift of just 1% in your Will to St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice will make a difference to future patient care and ensures those closest to you receive the remaining 99%.

Every gift in a Will, however large or small, will make a difference to the lives of local people living in Cheshire.

To find out more please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/will

To find out more about writing a Will please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/will

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Walk the night for our nurses!

Could you walk while we care?

Join us for this year’s Midnight Walk on Saturday 2nd July 2022 and help us fund our new Community Night Service.

With your support we would like to raise an incredible £131,614 from the Midnight Walk to fund this important new service in patients’ homes.

Please give up just one night of your year to support the work of our nurses 365 nights of the year.

For more information and to sign up please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/midnightwalk

www.facebook.com/stlukescheshirehospice www.twitter.com/StLukesHospice www.instagram.com/stlukescheshire

Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1BH Registered Charity No. 515595

T 01606 551246 E enquiries@slhospice.co.uk www.slhospice.co.uk