Ex pub-landlady, Pauline, had always been used to taking care of herself and her family, so when her illness meant she needed to ask for help, it was tough.
Pauline was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in January 2025. She’d had a fall the previous September and had been struggling with pain ever since, but was shocked to find out that the pain was the result of tumours on her spine and hips.
Here she explains how Wigan & Leigh Hospice has helped her and her family, and why she wants to see fairer funding for hospices.
Dear Prime Minister,
Finding out I had stage four lung cancer was a big shock for me and my family. I’d been in pain after a fall, but otherwise I was fine, continuing with my volunteering work and dog walking.
After the diagnosis, I spent a few weeks in hospital, but when I got home it was my 27-year-old son, Tommy, and his girlfriend who were caring for me, with support from carers.
You never expect to need to depend on your children for personal care, and it was awful seeing him taking on so much and worrying about me. I also worried about him because he was caring for me as well as working nights, and I was terrified he might have an accident because he was so tired.
When I was admitted to the hospice, it was such a relief, because it took the pressure off Tommy. He knows I’m safe here and although he comes in to see me every day, he knows when he leaves me, I’m being looked after.
I came into the hospice to bring my pain under control, and they have done such a good job, reviewing my pain medication as my condition changes. They can’t do enough to help. I’m eating properly again and I’m enjoying spending time in the sunshine in the hospice gardens. I love being outdoors.
I feel so lucky that I’m now being given the time to spend with my friends and family. I feel so cared for here, and the big relief is knowing how much comfort Tommy has, knowing I’m being properly looked after. We know we won’t have a lot of time, so I want to make the most of the time we do have together.
I’ve never been a political person, but I do think it’s unfair that so much of the money that is paying for my care is coming from the local community here in Wigan. Until recently I volunteered in one of the hospice charity shops, so I’ve seen how much goes into raising the money to pay for hospice care.
I’m not scared of dying; I just want to make sure my final days are comfortable and can be spent with those I love. By getting my pain under control and getting the right care in place, that’s exactly what the hospice does.
The hospice has made such a difference to me and my family, and that’s why I want to see fairer funding for hospices.
With best wishes,
Pauline
Help us tell the Prime Minister what a difference hospices make
Pauline’s story shows just how much hospice care can mean to patients and their families at one of the most difficult times in their lives.
But like hospices across the UK, Wigan & Leigh Hospice cannot provide this care without the incredible support of our community. Donations, fundraising, lottery players and charity shop volunteers all help us continue to be there for local people when they need us most.
Until fairer funding is available, we rely on your support. Help us to tell the Prime Minister what a difference hospices make.
Please make a donation today and add your message calling for fairer funding for hospices. Together, we can show why every community deserves access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.