22nd November 2023
Family facing first Christmas without beloved dad support Light up a Life appeal
Norman Peck came to the hospice for Wellbeing sessions and later received Hospice in your Home support before he died earlier this year. As his family face their first Christmas without him, they have shared their story as part of our Light up a Life appeal.
After a diagnosis of incurable kidney and prostate cancer, Norman, of the Meadows, started coming to the hospice for Wellbeing sessions where he enjoyed craft activities and meeting other patients, volunteers and staff.
Support at home
When he became more poorly, our Hospice in your Home teams helped to support him in his Nottingham flat.
His son, Robert, says: “Dad enjoyed coming to the hospice on a Tuesday. It got him out of his flat and he liked socialising with everyone. I came with him sometimes and joined in, I remember decorating bird boxes and making Christmas decorations with the group, and everyone made us feel very welcome.”
Respite
“In his last days, your team visited him at home for a few nights. It was reassuring for the family to know that he had a healthcare professional with him. My siblings and I took it in turns to be with him in those final days, but we couldn’t be there all the time. The hospice support gave us some respite.
“When Christmas came around, Dad was too poorly to come to us as he usually did, so we visited him on Christmas Day. This year it’ll be our first Christmas without him, which will be really strange.”