Lynne Phair

My lovely husband John, who had end stage heart failure was supported and cared for by St Wilfrid’s until his death on 1^st August 2025.

In November 2024 he became very ill and was admitted to the inpatient unit, and it was thought he was coming towards the end of his life. Against all the odds John stabilised and was discharged home in January 2025.

He remained at home, and John and our family were helped by the community nurse specialist community team, 24-hour nurse, physio team and counselling service.

The last 10 days of his life, although directly cared for by the NHS community nurses and a care agency, they liaised directly with nurse line for medication and care direction.

The Hospice, through nurse line was there 24/7 for me and other professionals enabling a very difficult last journey to be navigated enabling me to care for John at home until he died. This is something I absolutely know would not have been impossible without nurse line.

Seven years earlier in 2018, the Hospice supported my mum at home, the place she wanted to be. The Hospice nurse line was there for me 24 hours a day, advising supporting and coordinating the community service. I knew I was only a call away from advice and support day or night. It enabled me to help mum to be in control of her final journey, to die in the place she loved. We did this together and she died peacefully on the 27th of July 2018.

This is my fifth adventure for St Wilfrid’s Hospice. I have always funded myself, so all donations go directly to the hospice. In 2019, I trekked in the Sahara, in 2022 I trained and undertook a cycling challenge, riding 270 miles from Eastbourne to Paris. In 2024, I rode 303 miles from Eastbourne to Amsterdam and In October 2025, I trekked once again in the heat of the Sahara. I have made a gross contribution to the hospice of around £16,000 and I would dearly love to make my contribution to this wonderful organisation £20,000.

I don’t consider myself an athlete, I came to these adventures later in life, but as I am blessed with good health, I want to use it, to give me a focus during troubled times and hopefully help others.

 We never know if or when we, or our families will need the support of the hospice. The hospice does not only support the patient but their families too. The word Palliare means to” Cloak” and this is what the hospice does for everyone, wraps its arms around those who need it at the most difficult of times.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice is only available because of the generosity of others.  Any support you can give, will encourage me, at the difficult times of my trek, and you will be making a difference to the lives of others, whom you may never meet.