Heartfelt plea to support Pendleside Hospice 'Light Up A Life' campaign

Donna Broadley, whose husband Iain died aged 55 in April, is dedicating a light in his memory and is urging others to remember their loved ones who have died either this year or in years gone by to do the same.

She said: “After Iain passed I questioned myself how I would ever repay Pendleside for everything they had done for him, for me and my children.

“As a family we have already started to raise funds for the hospice. Iain’s sister Debra raised £1,600 the week after he died and I asked for donations on my 50th birthday instead of presents and that raised £1,060.

“Now Iain’s sons Robin and Sam are hoping to host a fundraiser and we are also going to organise a sponsored walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal next May.”

Donna remembers first walking into Pendleside in 2015. She said: “I felt emotional, nervous and overwhelmed. The nurses soon put Iain and I at ease and showed us to our private room which had a lovely view of the garden.

“This was to become our home for the next few months. And by home, I mean Iain treated it exactly like his home as he filled the room with books, DVDs, Lego sets, art work and all sorts of things.”

Iain had suffered throat cancer 20 years ago and had further surgery in 2014 and 2015 and in February this year he discovered it had returned and he became an outpatient at the hospice where he received palliative care and advice

During his stay at Pendleside five years ago both he and Donna received psychotherapy and counselling which they found invaluable.

When his health deteriorated at that time the couple decided after 17 years to get married at the hospice. Remarkably, three weeks later he was well enough to return home but this year he died in the hospice seven weeks after the February diagnosis.

Donna said: “Covid-19 impacted on the amount of visitors Iain could have in those final weeks but not once did it impact on the high standard of treatment and care given to him.”

This year the Light Up A Life service will be a virtual service streamed via Facebook, YouTube and Pendleside’s website at 3-30pm on Sunday, December 20th.

In addition to the virtual service Pendleside is selling Light Up A Life Remembrance Boxes, that include an order of service, tea light, remembrance stars, pen and refreshments, which will enable you to feel part of the service while at home.

These are available from the hospice reception or at https://www.pendleside.org.uk/light-up-a-life-box.

To make a dedication in memory of your loved follow the link to https://www.pendleside.org.uk/light-up-a-life?tab=form or call the fundraising team on 01282 440120.