“It lifted my heart knowing these angels were taking care of my wife and then later, Mum”

“I was lonely after the other half of me was taken away. I simply found it comforting to go back to the hospice where Sheena passed and to talk to others and share stories. The Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh is lovely, with sun spilling through the windows. You felt safe and taken care of there, whether patient or family and it was the same with both Sheena and my mum.

She was one of those genuinely good people who would be there for you.

Mum's passing is a sore one for me because she fell one day then was gone in a matter of days. Her last words to me were "there is nothing to forgive" as I said I was sorry for not being around more. The words of a loving mum and it brings tears to think on this.

Mum had breast cancer and it had gone away after some chemo but made its way back. After the fall, she was gone within the space of a week.

My late wife Sheena was the joy in a room full of people, and she was also the person to bring those same people together in said room.

The Marie Curie Nurse said that Sheena was one of those characters that makes a lasting impression on you.

Sheena had six months from the bowel cancer coming back to her passing. In that time, we got married, got the house and car she always wanted, went to Disneyland Paris one last time and even got to meet her fave comedian, Craig Hill.

I only got one sentence out of her. I had six months and did great things with Sheena.

Unlike my siblings, I no longer lived in the family home with mum. Given it all happened in such a short space of time I felt regret at not being there more. The main benefit, as with Sheena, was that Marie Curie managed to get her into the hospice for the end of her time. It is like a little slice of heaven in there.

People can be closed off after somebody’s passing and so it was good to attend bereavement support sessions where I could talk and open up, even if to strangers, who then opened up to me. It soothed the soul in many ways.

Sheena was my world for nearly 10 years and after her passing her daughters lived with me for many years. It was a difficult time in my life. The Marie Curie group sessions acted like a release valve.

Sheena was a very strong individual. She made me memorise all her pills, she sorted out her affairs and so in the end, and thanks to her, the strain was taken off a little. I got time off work and near the end I was so very tired, trying to take care of her at home – which is when Marie Curie stepped in one night to watch over her overnight while I got a good sleep.

We thought it would be best to tour Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh months before Sheena’s passing.

Finally, she was admitted two days before she passed. The nurses were there both during and after. I chatted to the nurses and took part in an on-site group afterward, for those left behind. The focus on helping family afterward is a really nice touch.

Having been through the above, I knew I wanted my mum to spend her last days with Marie Curie.

The staff were simply angels on Earth and lifted a serious weight off your shoulders and lifted your heart, knowing these angels were taking care of your wife and then later, Mum.

Not to downplay hospitals or staying at home but specialist facilities and nurses on-site were gold. There were complications when Sheena passed. It was distressing but thankfully we were on-site with nurses able to come and help right away. I can’t imagine having had to deal with this had I been at home, without care.

Marie Curie is invaluable. When you need it, it's there... but only if it still exists. I make large contributions each year but the best I thought I could do is leave 10% of my estate after passing as the final thank you and repayment to those who took care of my loved ones.

Money doesn't matter. People do. It is a no-brainer for me to do this, and I urge all others to do the same. It will be put to good use.

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