Last updated: November 23, 2021
St Margaret’s Hospice Care is calling on the community to give their nurses the gift of time this Christmas.
The hospice has launched its Christmas appeal which coincides with Giving Tuesday on 30 November, a national day of giving. The appeal centres around the story of Nuno who was cared for by the Community and In-patient Teams at St Margaret’s after he was diagnosed with an incurable and aggressive cancer.
Originally from Portugal, Nuno had been living and working in Somerset for more than a decade before falling ill and the hospice’s community team were struck, not only by his courage but also how difficult it was for him to be so far away from his family.
Cher Griffiths, a nurse who cared for Nuno at the hospice’s In-patient Unit, said: “Nuno told me that he wasn’t scared of dying, he was scared he wouldn’t see his family again.”
Cher Griffiths, a nurse who cared for Nuno at St Margaret's Hospice's In-patient Unit in Taunton
The team were so moved by Nuno’s last wish, that they wanted to help however they could to make it happen. Thanks to a colossal team effort the team managed to get Nuno back to Portugal so he could spend precious time with his family before he died and spoke with the Portuguese hospital to ensure they understood the care he needed.
“It’s moments like this that make me so proud to do my job and help people make the most of the time they have left with their loved ones,” Cher said. “Nuno’s sister wrote to us shortly after he died, and it was wonderful to hear the difference we had made to a family, facing the heartache of being apart. Seeing them all finally together really brought home the difference we can, and do make, every day for our patients.”
At St Margaret’s, staff go above and beyond to make sure their patients can have the precious gift of time with those who matter most to them. But the hospice can only do this with the support of the community. A donation of £25 will help the hospice give the priceless gift of time to their patients, whether that’s at home, at the hospice’s In-patient Unit or at the end of the phone in the middle of the night.
For more information or to donate to the Christmas Appeal visit https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/christmas-appeal