Autumn 2026
St Luke's News
Where Moments Count...
Welcome A Message From Our Chairman t is a privilege to introduce myself as the Iwelcome new Chairman of St Luke’s Hospice and to you to our autumn newsletter. During my first few months as Chairman, I have been struck by the extraordinary compassion and dedication at the heart of everything the Hospice does. Every day, our staff and volunteers provide expert care, comfort and dignity to patients, while also offering vital support to families and loved ones during some of life’s most difficult moments. It is truly humbling to see the difference this care makes. This newsletter offers a glimpse of that impact. Within these pages, you will find updates from across the Hospice, moving patient and family stories, and news of the many fundraising events and activities that help make our work possible. Together, they are a powerful reminder that hospice care is about so much more than clinical support. It is about compassion, reassurance and respect, and helping people make the most of every moment. You may have noticed that the words Where Moments Count are now part of our hospice logo. They reflect exactly what lies at the heart of our work: being there for patients and families when every moment matters. As we move into autumn, I want to take this opportunity to thank you, and all our supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and local business partners, for the part you play in making that care possible.
At a time when demand for hospice services continues to grow, your generosity and commitment have never been more important. As Chairman, I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place, helping to ensure that St Luke’s Hospice can continue to provide outstanding care for patients and families now, and in the future. I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and feel proud of the difference your support makes every day.
Dennis
Dennis Dunn MBE JP DL
Creating Better Spaces For Our Patients and Families T his summer, thanks to your kindness and support, we have been able to make some wonderful improvements to our hospice buildings, helping more patients and families enjoy the comfort, peace and benefits of being outdoors.
On our Inpatient Unit, two private rooms have been transformed with the installation of patio doors in place of windows, creating easier access to the fountain courtyard. This simple change has already made a real difference, with families able to sit outside in the sunshine with their loved one. For some patients, our nurses have even been able to wheel beds directly into the courtyard, allowing them to feel the warmth of the sun and enjoy the fresh air. We have also enhanced the rear garden off the Inpatient Unit with the installation of a new Garden Room. This bright, comfortable and welcoming space can be used by patients and relatives, as well as by our wider hospice services, providing a warm and versatile space that can be enjoyed all year round. We are committed to continually improving our facilities for the benefit of everyone who uses our hospice. Thank you for your support in helping us make these improvements possible.
Support our care today at www.slhospice.co.uk/wheremomentscount
Where Moments Count Kathy's 39th Birthday
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hen Kathy Morris, from Crewe, was staying at St Luke’s, she had one wish for her 39th birthday - to spend the day beside the sea in Llandudno.
Although that trip wasn’t possible, our nurses were determined to bring the seaside to her. They filled the Hospice with the fun and colour of a traditional day by the sea, with beach-themed decorations, balloons, beach balls and even a Punch and Judy stall. For a few precious hours, Kathy was able to enjoy the sights, sounds and happiness of a place she loved. And because no trip to the seaside would be complete without fish and chips, Kathy was treated to a birthday lunch of fish, chips and mushy peas, followed by an ice cream from a van that kindly came to the Hospice especially for her.
"St Luke's has done so much for me... I can't thank the nurses enough." Kathy Morris
The joy the day brought meant so much to Kathy. She said: "I’ve always loved the beach and the sea, so I’m just doing what I love really. And the nurses have put up all these balloons and decorations and just made everything look so cheerful. They must have been preparing this for days. I’m so happy, I’m feeling really loved." Kathy, who was living with metastatic breast cancer, also spoke about the care she had received at the Hospice: "St Luke’s has done so much for me. When I came here I was given 2 or 3 days, they didn’t think I would last, and yet under the care of St Luke’s I’ve gone from strength to strength. I can’t thank the nurses enough." Sadly, Kathy died at the Hospice just 3 weeks after her 39th birthday. For our nurses and staff, her birthday celebration remains a powerful reminder of why moments like these matter so much. Alongside expert, compassionate care, we help people create memories filled with comfort, joy and love - memories that families will carry with them forever. Every day, thanks to the kindness of supporters like you, we make moments count for patients and their families. One of the best ways you can support the Hospice, both now and for the future, is by playing our Lottery. St Luke's Lottery provides the Hospice with a steady and reliable source of income which funds the care of 1 in every 5 patients. Please join our Lottery today and help ensure we can be there for local families like Kathy's when they need us most.
Join our Lottery today at www.slhospice.co.uk/lottery
An Angel To Treasure This Christmas
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ring comfort, hope and peace into your home this Christmas with a St Luke’s Angel. We’re delighted to share our beautiful St Luke’s Angel – a special Christmas decoration to treasure year after year. Made from glass with delicate gold coloured embellishments, this elegant hanging decoration will make a stunning addition to your Christmas tree and also a thoughtful gift for someone special. For many people, an angel on the tree is a meaningful way to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. Hanging your St Luke’s Angel each Christmas can be a simple but comforting tradition – a chance to reflect on precious memories, celebrate their love and keep them close at the heart of your festivities. Each angel measures 8cm tall and is available for a suggested donation of £10, with every penny helping to support the patients and families we are privileged to care for at the Hospice.
There are two St Luke’s Angel designs available – one holding a heart and the other a star. Please note that we are unable to guarantee which design you will receive. Angels can be posted to you, and we kindly ask for an additional £4 donation to help cover postage costs. Where possible, we encourage free collection from the Hospice in Winsford, one of our charity shops, (not including Hartford which is undergoing renovation) or our Warehouse. To order your St Luke’s Angel, visit www.slhospice.co.uk/angel and make your donation online. Alternatively, complete the form opposite and return it with your donation, or call our friendly Donor Care Team on 01606 555 816. Thank you for helping us continue to care for local patients and families when they need us most.
Order your angel today at www.slhospice.co.uk/angel
Where Moments Count A Moment Of Connection...
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chance meeting in our Day Hospice blossomed into a remarkable connection between therapy dog Loki and patient Dave Cox from Northwich. Dave, who was living with dementia, first met giant Leonberger Loki and his owner, volunteer Dave Berrington, while his wife was attending our Dementia Carers' Workshops. Volunteer Dave explains: “The first time Dave saw Loki he just fell in love with him. His wife Sylvia said he talked about Loki so much after every visit. So, when Dave needed respite care in a local care home, St Luke’s Dementia Nurse Siobhan asked me if I would consider visiting him there to help him settle in." Over the following weeks, Volunteer Dave and Loki became regular visitors, bringing comfort and companionship during what was a difficult transition for Dave and his family.
Volunteer Dave added: “It was obviously a difficult time for Dave and Sylvia. The adjustment to respite care wasn’t easy and Dave’s carers said the change in him when Loki had visited was just incredible. It calmed him down completely and then his family were able to visit and enjoy special time with him while he was calm and happy.” When Dave sadly died a few weeks later, Volunteer Dave and Loki both attended his funeral – a touching tribute to the bond they had shared. “I’ve never built a longer term relationship like that, but Dave happened to be one of those very special people who just loved Loki to bits and Loki was just so gentle with him. Moments like that are quite rare and very special. I was delighted to help.”
Support our care today at www.slhospice.co.uk/wheremomentscount
A Moment Of Comfort... The beautiful sound of bagpipes created a truly unforgettable moment for a patient and her daughters. A piper performed in the courtyard outside our Inpatient Unit for Deborah Jones from Crewe who spent her final days in our care, in celebration of her Scottish heritage. In an incredibly moving moment, staff stopped what they were doing and stood in the courtyard to appreciate the music and the precious moment for the family. Deborah’s daughter Jennifer said: “Mum’s wishes were always to spend her final days at St Luke’s. We will be forever grateful of the care given not just to our beautiful mum, but also to us. Whether we needed someone to cry to, someone to sit with mum while we made a quick cup of tea, or just that friendly face to greet us every day that we visited. We were always met with kindness and love in its purest form.”
A Moment Of Joy... When 58-year-old Nicky Price from Crewe was staying on our Inpatient Unit, she shared one of her lifelong dreams with our nurses – to visit Stonehenge. Sadly, she was too poorly to make the journey. Determined to make that special moment possible, our Occupational Therapist Anna brought Stonehenge to Nicky instead. Using our virtual reality headset, she was transported to the heart of the ancient monument, where she could look around and even reach out as if to touch the towering stones. For a little while, Nicky was no longer thinking about her illness. She was smiling, immersed in an experience she had always hoped to have. Her husband Carl said: “That had me in tears, but they were happy tears, seeing how happy Nicky was in that short space of time.” Nicky sadly died a few weeks later, but she did so knowing she had experienced the next best thing to visiting Stonehenge in person. Moments like these are only possible thanks to your continued support and kindness. To make a donation please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/wheremomentscount
Where Moments Count A Moment of Calm...
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hen Tracy Warrington talks about St Luke’s, she doesn’t begin with appointments or treatment plans. She talks about kindness, smiles and the feeling of being lifted, even on the hardest days. The 46-year-old from Crewe, who is undergoing treatment for triple negative breast cancer, was referred to our complementary therapy clinics while having chemotherapy and immunotherapy. For Tracy, the support she has received has helped ease painful symptoms and given her strength to keep going. “St Luke’s is such a lovely place,” she said. “Everyone is just so kind and helpful. Even on a bad day I would leave smiling, because they always know how to put a smile on your face.” Her positivity throughout treatment has earned Tracy the affectionate nickname “Tigger” from the Day Hospice nurses – a reflection of the spirit she has held on to, despite everything she has faced. “I don’t know why life has thrown this at me but I’ve got on with it, done what the doctors have told me and always tried to think positively, no matter what,” the mum-of-five said. “The chemotherapy has caused nerve damage in my feet which feels like a tingling sensation and is very painful,” she explained. “The reflexology has definitely helped me. After a visit the pain just vanishes for a few days. It’s beautiful and it really does work.” Tracy’s partner, Pete Johnson, has been by her side throughout her treatment and has seen first-hand the difference St Luke’s has made. “It’s hard watching someone you love go through it and there’s absolutely nothing you can do – you feel helpless and lost,” he said. “But she’s been like a warrior and the support from St Luke’s has been immense. When you are going through your treatment, St Luke’s is definitely the crutch you need to get you through it.”
Support our care today at www.slhospice.co.uk/wheremomentscount
A Moment to Treasure... A mum staying on our Inpatient Unit was able to share one of life's important milestones – seeing her son head off for his high school prom. 45-year-old Laura Harper from Nantwich desperately wanted to see her son Will dressed up for his prom after completing his GCSEs this summer – a rite of passage that so many teenagers and their parents share each year. Determined to make it as special as possible, Laura’s husband and parents decorated her room and the doors leading onto the hospice courtyard with streamers and balloons. Smartly dressed in his suit and bow tie, 16-year-old Will arrived in style, driven right up to the courtyard in a Porsche. Before heading off to celebrate with his
friends, Will was able to spend precious time with his mum and stepdad and pose for photographs together - memories the family will always treasure. Laura’s mum Penny describes: “Laura desperately wanted to see him, they’ve got such a bond. As soon as he walked in, her face was a picture. He had lovely photos taken with his mum and stepdad. “It was very, very special and a lovely memorable moment that we’ll all treasure, and especially Will in years to come. “The nurses came out to watch because they all knew what we had planned. It just shows you what a special place the Hospice is to be able to do that." Moments like these are only possible thanks to your continued support and kindness. To make a donation please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/wheremomentscount
Make A Will Month
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ur popular ‘Make a Will Month’ is back this October.
Whether you are making your Will for the first time or updating it, we understand how important it is to plan for the future. Writing a Will gives you peace of mind, knowing that your savings and possessions will be passed on to the people you care about. Throughout October, a number of local solicitors are generously waiving their usual fees to write your Will. In return you are asked to make a donation to St Luke’s which will help us continue to provide expert care and support to local people and their families. We suggest a donation of £150 for a single Will and £250 for a double Will. To book your appointment, simply contact one of the participating solicitors and mention St Luke’s Hospice Will Month to ensure you are booked in as part of the scheme. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Leaving a gift in your Will There’s no obligation to include a gift in your Will to St Luke’s, although we hope you will consider it to help us be there for more local people in the future. Gifts in Wills fund the care of around one in four of our patients. As demand for our hospice services continues to grow, and costs continue to rise, your gift is more important today than ever. Together, we can make sure hospice care lives on for all, for now, forever. Thank you as always for your ongoing support. For more information regarding Make a Will Month, and the contact details of participating solicitors, please visit:
www.slhospice.co.uk/will
For more information visit www.slhospice.co.uk/will
More Than a Partnership
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ur Hospice is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of both Crewe Alexandra Football Club and Whitby Morrison, who continue to champion our care in the community.
unbelievable, I can't praise the staff enough. The wrap-around care for the whole family was amazing."
Today, James continues to honour both his dad's memory and the Hospice For Crewe Alex's Head of Commercial, through his role at Crewe Alexandra. It James Beckett, that support is far more than was his idea to feature the St Luke's logo a partnership - it's deeply personal. on the club's third shirt – an initiative made possible thanks to the generosity A lifelong Alex supporter, James also grew of sponsors Mornflake and now Whitby up with St Luke's at the heart of his family. Morrison. His dad, Wilf, was a dedicated volunteer Lottery collector, covering Haslington and James shared: "Seeing the St Luke’s logo Shavington and helping to raise vital funds on the third shirt has incredible personal for local hospice care. significance to me. St Luke’s is special for so many Crewe fans, and I know that if my Sadly, when Wilf was diagnosed with bowel dad was still here he'd be incredibly proud cancer in 2017, St Luke's was there to of what we’ve managed to do." support him and the whole family during his final months. As James was planning his This season, every time the Alex's third wedding at the time, he brought the date shirt is worn, it carries not only the forward to ensure his dad could share in the St Luke's logo, but also a powerful special day. reminder of the difference local hospice care makes to families "Dad was adamant that St Luke's was across our community. where he wanted to go at the end. It was a really difficult time but the care was
Join our Lottery today at www.slhospice.co.uk/lottery
Three Brands - One Cause For a third consecutive year, St Luke's logo will proudly feature on Crewe Alexandra's third shirt. This fantastic opportunity has once again been made possible thanks to the generosity of Crewe-based ice cream van manufacturer Whitby Morrison, who for the second year running have donated the front of shirt sponsorship space to St Luke's. The new third kit combines a striking teal colourway with a unique train track design, paying tribute to the Railwaymen's heritage within a sleek and modern PUMA shirt. For every shirt sold, £5 will be donated towards patient care at the Hospice. A huge thank you to Whitby Morrison for making this wonderful partnership possible, and to Crewe Alexandra for once again wearing our logo with pride. The Crewe Alex third shirt is available to buy from the online store or by scanning the QR code: www.thealexandrastore.co.uk
A Christmas To Remember
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s the festive season draws near, we warmly invite you to join us for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival and Christmas Cinema, taking place from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November, with the Christmas Cinema showing on Saturday 21st November. Set within the stunning historic surroundings of St Mary’s Church, Nantwich, it promises to be a truly magical festive experience. From the 20th to 22nd November, St Mary’s Church will be transformed into a festive wonderland, illuminated by more than 55 beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Each tree will be uniquely decorated by local businesses, organisations, schools, most historic buildings. It's the perfect community groups, and individuals, way to kick off the festive season and a creating a spectacular display of colour, wonderful event for the whole family to creativity, and Christmas spirit. enjoy. Soak up the festive atmosphere with No booking is required – simply come Christmas music, mulled wine, and along and enjoy. seasonal refreshments, all within the enchanting setting of one of Nantwich’s
For more information visit www.slhospice.co.uk/treefestival
Opening Night Show - An Evening with Gary and Robbie Thursday 19th November 7:00pm 10:30pm at St Mary's Church Join us for a show-stopping opening night featuring performances from the UK's leading Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow tribute acts. Enjoy standout solo sets from Dan Hadfield (Gary) and Scott Borley (Robbie) before they take to the stage together for a spectacular celebration of Take That's greatest hits. With incredible vocals, energy and stage presence, you'll be convinced you're experiencing the real thing. A licensed bar will be available throughout the evening. Pre-book your tickets now at www.slhospice.co.uk/event/launch
Celebrate the season with classic Christmas movies! Saturday 21st November from 4:30pm Join us for our Christmas Cinemas, using silent headphone technology for the best sound, and set in the most Christmassy of venues! The first showing at 4:30pm is the classic Christmas sequel Home Alone 2- Lost in New York. This will be followed at 8pm by festive rom-com The Holiday. There will be a licensed bar serving prosecco, beer and soft drinks. Pre-booking is essential to secure your seat. Visit www.slhospice.co.uk/events
Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1BH
T 01606 551246 E enquiries@slhospice.co.uk www.slhospice.co.uk Registered Charity No. 515595