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Adrian's Story

You’re not on your own if you think Katharine House is a good cause. The Hospice is doing a fantastic job supporting me and my missus and I think it’s a wonderful place. In return I want to do my bit so I’m supporting their Sponsor a Nurse Appeal and I hope you’ll join me.

I’m Adrian Gray and I was only 45 when I was diagnosed with a really aggressive cancerous tumour on my brain. I got in from work one day and had a really bad epileptic fit. Doctors found the tumour not long after that and I had an operation, chemo and radiotherapy.

Luckily the tumour hadn’t spread to my brain but due to the pressure it put on the language side of my brain I can find it hard sometimes to speak and write. As a knock on effect I’ve now got epilepsy, brittle bones and diabetes. Linda my missus had to give up her fulltime job to look after me but we’re doing okay.

One of the main reasons we’re coping is that we both get fantastic support from Katharine House. I come to Day Care twice a week which is good fun for me, and gives Linda a break. I settled in straight away, it’s so welcoming, they look after you and nothing is too much trouble. The people here are too good to be true.

I’m staying in for respite care this week and that’s brilliant. It’s good to be with different people and get away from the usual four walls, and the nurses will do everything they can to make my life happier. Meanwhile Linda can do her own thing, she’ll have a break from being my fulltime carer which will do her the world of good.

Since I’ve been coming to the Hospice I’ve been more and more aware of how much the charity needs donations. I wish more people realised that the Hospice is run on what people are prepared to give. I’ve seen for myself that any donations are used to pay for nurses to bring sunshine into peoples lives and help them to look forward to tomorrow. To me this is why the Sponsor A Nurse Appeal is so important.

The Hospice runs the Appeal to raise funds by asking people to sponsor an hour of nursing care with a donation of £11.75. I hope you’ll please join me in sponsoring a nurse - the Hospice has enclosed a form and a freepost envelope to make it as easy as possible for you.

Please Sponsor A Nurse for an hour or even two, your support will be life changing.

Adrian Gray