Hayward House Hospice Visit

Today (26th September) I visited the Hayward house hospice on site of the City hospital campus. It had been five years since I had last been into the hospice, and this was when my granddad had cancer and was being looked after there.

Some of the staff were the same as they were five years ago, and walking into the hospice brought back many memories, both happy and sad. Soon after getting to the hospice I was chatting away to some of the patients in the day care centre. They were truly inspirational people who didn't seem to let the fact they had cancer get them down. Whilst chatting to me they told me about their adventures during their lives, their families and friends and all sorts of other things - one gentleman even telling me he was always in trouble with his wife!! haha :-)

I preformed three short Irish dances for them - two in soft shoes and one in heavys, which the patients all seemed to enjoy, however I was in a long dress and the floor was laminate so I thought I was going to fall over - which wouldn't have looked sophisticated! But luckily I didn't. I was then given a nice cup of tea while I spent time chatting some more to some of the patients and looked at some of the items they had made during the day. They all asked if I would go back soon, and I really hope I do get to.

Going into the hospice makes you realise just how lucky you are, and to grasp every moment and opportunity with everything you have. I left feeling emotional, but was also so honoured to have been able to spend time with them and feel like I had improved their day slightly.

I thank Elaine from Hayward House for inviting me, and I am hoping to do some more fundraising throughout the year for Hayward house, to help to keep this incredible hospice open and supporting people through their cancer battle.

 With some of the Patients from Hayward House