My niece Sarah's story

How many times have you passed Dove House and wondered what it is like inside and what they do? Like me, probably countless. I’d been to the Sunday Car Boot as a seller and a buyer and donated to their charity shops but that was it. During the pandemic, I was surprised to find my elderly uncle had been admitted to a special Covid ward based at a separate part of the hospice which had been set up. Thankfully with the care he received he made a full recovery and was able to return to his home.

When Sarah, my niece announced, she was going to have a look around the hospice I was filled with apprehension. Sarah was featured a few years back on the front page of the Hull Daily Mail, “A teacher living with cancer not dying of it”. She always tried to live a positive life, she was so brave. But this was going to be a new step in her journey. One that was going to enable family and friends to be with her every step of the way.

When Sarah was admitted for three weeks of pain management it was the first time I’d actually stepped inside the building. I was greeted by friendly volunteers who worked at the reception desk.

Sarah was sharing a room with other ladies who were also there for short spells of care. I was even allowed to take Gilbert, Sarah’s dog, in to see her which meant so much to her, she loved him so much. He bounded down the corridors and soon found her, making himself at home on her bed. Her friends were not restricted to visit during a particular time slot and were welcomed which was so important to her to her. They wheeled her to the café adjoining the hospice and were able to make hot drinks in the kitchen area in the Inpatient Unit. It helped everyone, including Sarah, feel at home.

The staff were wonderful, enabling her to visit the theatre and helping her be able to go to her special fundraising party. Sarah’s fairy godmothers, the staff, made sure she was belle of the ball allowing a visiting beautician to do her makeup and a nail technician to give her the finishing touches, sparkly nails. Her friends raised over £2000 that evening through their love and generosity for Sarah, half of which was donated to the hospice.

Sarah returned home for a short spell where friends and family looked after her. She was determined not to miss a safari park weekend to make one last memory before returning to the hospice.

Sadly, Sarah died on 29^th February at Dove House surrounded by her family and friends, and the staff who had become an integral part of her final weeks and days.

Sarah is sorely missed by us all. I know we will continue to support the hospice through donations and fundraising activities so that others can benefit from the many facets of their work and make them feel special during their journey of life like they did for our beautiful Sarah.