I collect for Marie Curie because without them, Dad would’ve died in hospital

The Marie Curie Nurses made a huge difference. Alongside providing vital medical and emotional support, they also had absolute respect for our family’s wishes. Without the overnight visits, I strongly believe that Dad may well have had to go into hospital.

And it soon became clear that the nurses were there to support us as much as Dad.

This was a difficult time for us all and we were inevitably very tired and emotional, so the fact that the nurses arrived within half an hour of our requests for help was invaluable.

A person, not just a patient

It was also always the same nurses who visited us. They became familiar faces and were very quick to assess and respond to Dad’s needs - and our needs too.

They were calm, kind and sensitive, showing the utmost professionalism. They never spoke about Dad as if he wasn’t in the room, and their calming and warm approach is something we’ll always remember.

When you’re going through such a challenging and emotional time, it’s so invaluable to know that you can ask questions and seek advice from those who have expertise, experience and empathy.

Their support reassured us and helped us face each day.

A spiritual experience

When my family and I decided to volunteer to collect for Marie Curie, we initially felt a little trepidation. We didn’t quite know what it would entail, or what to expect.

As it turned out, as soon as we saw all the Marie Curie hats and tabards and were greeted by the organisers, we immediately felt a part of the Marie Curie family and ready to do our best.

I collected for the first time this March for the Great Daffodil Appeal, with my two nieces and my sisters. My niece Amélie is at Chester university while my other niece Olivia is at high school, and they decided to do some busking to provide entertainment during the collection, which was a lot of fun.

But it was also a therapeutic and spiritual experience for us as a family; we were there to honour our Dad and the girls’ Gramps.

Honouring a wish

We were surprised by the time that members of the public took to speak to us. We listened to people’s stories and in some cases we shared our own - it was very moving and surprisingly therapeutic.

It felt good to be able to give a little to other people with families who are going through the same things we did.

From the moment the Marie Curie Nurses came into our home, they gave us the support we needed to fulfil Dad’s most important wish; to be at home with his family in his final days and hours.

In June 2018, Dad died at home with his family surrounding him, just as he’d wanted.

This year, my family and I were honoured to be able to show our support for Marie Curie, and to thank the wonderful nurses for what they did for Dad and for all of us too.

If you’d like to support Marie Curie and help families like Kate’s, set up a virtual collection for the Great Daffodil Appeal collection today. You can set it up and raise money for people living with a terminal illness from the comfort of your own home.