By Abygail Fossett

We are in awe of the staff at St Elizabeth’s Hospice, who work tirelessly all year round to take care of their community. Their positivity, kindness and boundless energy ensure that those who need them are fully supported, able to enjoy spending time with their loved ones creating precious memories that they will cherish forever.

Christmas Day is no different. Every year, St Elizabeth Hospice provides vital care for hundreds of patients and their families living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For many of them, it will be their last Christmas spent together, and therefore even more important that they have the best Christmas they possibly can.

Suffolk resident Leanne Mann knows this to be true. Leanne got to know the team at St Elizabeth’s after spending the festive period at the hospice in 2019 after her mother, Lorraine Brown, was diagnosed with an incurable, rare form of cancer.

“Mum had thought she was going home and had booked a cottage to have time away together as a family, but unfortunately her health took a downturn after my wedding and it became apparent on December 20th that she would be unable to leave the hospice,” Leanne explains.

“But this didn’t matter at all, and we embraced the idea. The hospice staff arranged for us to have a bigger room so that on Christmas Day we could have six of us and her newly born grandchild together. We knew deep down this would be our last Christmas together so with the hospice’s help we made sure it was a very happy Christmas full of food, presents and lots of time spent together.”

“Most people would think that spending Christmas at the hospice would not be happy experience, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. We spent the day as any family would. Mum loved British comedy, especially Gavin and Stacey, so we spent our Christmas evening in the hospice watching the Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey laughing together, which is such a lovely memory to have.

“The hospice staff made it really special – they even snuck into Mum’s room on Christmas morning to place wrapped presents for her to open when she woke! She couldn’t believe it and was so touched by their kindness. It made her feel so special and brought the magic of Christmas alive.”

So, how can we do our bit to help St Elizabeth’s continue to give support to families like Leanne’s? They are currently hosting their annual ‘Be a Star’ appeal, encouraging all of us to help support them in any way we can.

This could mean buying our Christmas cards and gifts from one of their shops or online stores online stores. We’re particularly impressed by their range of Suffolk-themed Christmas cards, which include stunning depictions of Southwold, Woodbridge and the Ipswich waterfront.

Or why not get involved with one of their fundraisers? The Christmas Dip is back this year, and we are itching to get down to Felixstowe beach on Christmas morning and see everyone’s costumes – they never disappoint!

Or maybe you’re interested in volunteering your time; there are plenty of ways to do it, and St Elizabeth’s always appreciate the extra pair of hands.

As Leanne says: “Without St Elizabeth Hospice, our Christmas would have been very different but thanks to their support we shared a normal family Christmas. It was made more perfect because of where it was and thanks to their care, Mum had the Christmas she deserved, and we were able to have the family feeling we love.”

 * To support St Elizabeth Hospice’s Be a Star appeal, visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/be-a-star/

To browse their online shop, visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/support-us/online-shop/

To sign up for the Christmas Day Dip, visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/event/christmas-day-dip-2021/

To browse volunteer opportunities, visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/support-us/volunteer-for-us/

Picture of Leanne and her family with her mum Lorraine at St Elizabeth Hospice - Pic CREDIT MANN FAMILY