Gordon and Nicki’s Story
Dad didn’t really do ill, any cough or cold generally a hot toddy would do the trick!
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- Gordon and Nicki’s Story
Nicki is a passionate supporter of our work and has generously included a gift in her Will to help ensure that the exceptional care we provided for her father Gordon continues for years to come to support other families. In her own words, here is their story.
Dad didn’t really do ill, any cough or cold generally a hot toddy would do the trick!
At the time of his diagnosis, Mum worked at the GP Surgery and was aware of what was coming. Living at home at the time, she forewarned me – I remember finishing work the day he was told, knowing what I was driving home to – I spent 20mins parked around the corner in floods of tears trying to pull myself together and be strong for him.
When I made it into the house, dad said he had something to tell me – he had cancer, and it was terminal. In the next breath, “shall we have a curry or Chinese?”, that was my dad, accepted the hand he had been dealt and got on with it.
Who was my Dad/Gordon (or Gordy!)…
Dad and I were extremely close, as the youngest of three and the only girl. As a keen runner from before I could walk, he was my chief supporter at my races, often the sole parent stuck in a muddy field cheering in the rain at cross-countries.
Dad was the life and soul of the party – ever the entertainer and host. There was never a dull moment with him! An incredible man who touched the hearts of all those he met. The diagnosis just seemed, so unfair.
The evening dad was admitted to hospital, he collapsed in the bathroom, Mum and I couldn’t move him – we looked at each other and knew this was the beginning of the end. The hardest part was when the medics triaged him on arrival, a man who prided himself on names and numbers, unable to count backwards from 10 or name the current prime minister – a piece of our hearts broke in two.
After a week or so, we were fortunate that a bed at Thames Hospice, was found – he could be transported. I’ll never forget him being wheeled out of his ward, he turned to me and said “it’ll be ok, everything will be alright” – probably the last words I heard Dad speak.
I have to admit, I didn’t know much about Thames Hospice at the time – I just thought it was a place people went to die that wasn’t a hospital.
When we arrived, I could feel that it was so much more than that – a safe space, a peaceful place, somewhere dad could say goodbye with dignity.
We couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome – tea, biscuits, and hugs a plenty. Dad had his own room, no hustle and bustle of a busy hospital ward – overlooking the most beautiful gardens. Dad loved his garden – roses and his pristine front grass!
I can remember the space – light, open, space in his room, comfort for him and comfort for Mum. At a difficult time, I could see the tension lift from her, a stark contrast from dropping her at the hospital daily with a heavy feeling in my stomach to what she would walk into each time. I knew she would be well looked after, and dad kept comfortable – no ask was too much.
I said my goodbyes to dad on the Friday evening, Mum and I sat either side watching Children in Need whilst he rested and seemed so at peace – later that night he passed away.
Why I support Thames Hospice
When I learnt that Thames Hospice needed to raise over £34k per day to fund services 365 days a year, I made it my mission to raise money, be it through 10km swims or running marathons, even encouraging one of my brothers to run the Windsor Half marathon as part of the Thames Hospice Team – dad would have been so proud of him! (Dave isn’t built for running!)
It wasn’t until I got married and the myriad paperwork that needs updated that I thought, I can do more.
When I spoke with my financial advisor on updating my Will, I asked how easy it would be to include a gift donation to Thames Hospice – “very” was the answer.
For me, it was a gift to him to say thank you for the start in life and opportunities he gave me and knowing his memory will live on in helping others receive the same level of care as he did.
Ultimately and perhaps more importantly, 1 in 5 of the Hospice’s inpatient beds is funded through gifts in Wills. Dad would have wanted to know his early death wasn’t in vain and this legacy gift will make a huge difference for years to come.
In one of the readings at his funeral which he had pre-prepared, it said “peace is my parting gift to you” – through leaving a legacy gift in my Will, I know many others will find peace at the end of their journey and their families, just like ours, will have Thames Hospice to turn to.
After you’ve remembered those closest to you, please consider leaving a gift in your Will. Every penny really does count, with small legacies forming a vital part of our income. A gift in your Will to Thames Hospice will cost nothing today but will make a difference and help to ensure we can care for local families in the future.
Our team would love to help if you have any questions please call Alice Garratt on 01753 847308 or email a.garratt@thameshospice.org.uk or find our more on our gifts in Wills page.
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Our services are free of charge to all those in our community who need vital hospice care but this is only made possible through the charitable support and generosity of our amazing community. We need to raise £34,000 each day to fund our services 365 days a year to the people who need us most.
We’ve never needed you, our wonderful supporters, more than we need you today. Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available for those in desperate need.
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