Welcome
Karen Nutt, CEO
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter. I hope you enjoy catching up on all the latest news from St Luke’s and reading the inspiring stories from across our Hospice community.
It’s a real privilege to introduce myself as the new CEO of St Luke’s. I joined the team in May and have been warmly welcomed by staff, volunteers, and supporters alike. These first few months have been incredibly rewarding, and I feel proud to be part of such a vital local charity.
I always knew that St Luke’s was a very special place. But now, having witnessed the compassion, dedication, and expertise of our team firsthand, I have a much deeper appreciation
for the extraordinary care we provide. Every day, I’m inspired by the commitment of our staff and volunteers - and by the unwavering support of people like you. I was fortunate enough to participate in our Midnight Walk in June and had the pleasure of seeing the support for St Luke’s, both from other participants and also members of the community who were supporting along the route.
In this issue, you’ll hear directly from patients and families who have experienced the impact of our care. We are truly grateful to those who have shared their stories so openly - they remind us why our work matters.
As we head into the winter months, I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events, including the popular Christmas Tree Festival in Nantwich and our very special, annual Light up a Life service at the Hospice.
You can also support us over the coming months through our Robin Appeal, or by purchasing tickets for our Winter Warmer Raffle. More details are enclosed.
On behalf of everyone at St Luke’s - and especially the patients and families we care for - thank you for your kindness and support.
How to contact us
St Luke’s Hospice, Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1BH
Karen Nutt CEO
A beautiful makeover for our reception
There's nothing quite like a warm welcome and, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, that’s exactly what everyone who visits us now receives the moment they step through our doors.
We’re thrilled to share that our reception area has had a beautiful makeover! Our rather tired and dated entrance is now a bright, comforting space designed to feel more like home. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to making every patient, family member and visitor feel supported and at ease from the very first moment.
This transformation was brought to life by our incredible Maintenance Team, with the creative guidance of interior stylist Collette Tritschler. Collette worked closely with us to shape a space that feels warm, peaceful and welcoming - the perfect first impression for those arriving in often difficult circumstances.
The newly refurbished reception was officially re-opened in May by loyal supporter and former volunteer receptionist of 40 years, Monica Robson - a fitting tribute to someone who welcomed so many people to the Hospice over the decades.
Improvements like this are only possible thanks to your continued support. From all of us, thank you for helping us to make such a meaningful difference.
Hospice support was ‘life changing’
For Steve Wilson from Crewe, the care his wife received from St Luke’s during her final months was nothing short of “life changing”.
Last summer, 50-year-old Debbie Bamford spent two weeks at the Hospice to manage pain and symptoms following her diagnosis of stage 3 oesophageal cancer. Having had no previous experience of hospice care, Steve recalls their arrival as a turning point in Debbie’s care.
“The Monday morning when we arrived it was just a different world to the care we’d had so far. She had her own room and the doctors and nurses were so attentive, we couldn’t believe it. Immediately we could sense that we were getting somewhere and it uplifted her spirits as well just to have the knowledge that they were there for her.”
One highlight for Debbie was being able to welcome her two beloved Labradors, Charlie and Albie, for visits to the Hospice - something which brought her enormous comfort and joy.
Debbie pictured on her 50th birthday
Steve says the difference in Debbie’s wellbeing during her stay was remarkable.
“We thought she’d be in the Hospice for a couple of days, but she stayed for two weeks. The difference in her before and after the Hospice was just incredible in how she changed for the better while she was there. From barely getting out of bed in the weeks before, to returning home and being able to go on walks with me and the dogs. It was just amazing. She hadn’t been on a dog walk in months and then all of a sudden there we were walking round Winsford Flashes.”
To help us care for more families like Debbie and Steve please consider making a regular donation at www.slhospice.co.uk/regulargiving
When Debbie returned home, St Luke’s continued to support the familyarranging specialist equipment so she could remain where she wanted to be, surrounded by loved ones. The couple also benefited from the Hospice’s weekend palliative care hub and 24hour advice line.
“All the equipment just allowed us to care for her how she wanted to be cared for. It made it so much easier,” says Steve. “We’d have been lost without St Luke’s. And being at home made it easier to spend time with family, her parents and children. She held on for a lot longer than we thought she would.”
Debbie died peacefully at home in November, aged just 50, with her family and dogs by her side. Heartbreakingly, one of her Labradors, Albie, also died just days later.
“Obviously it was a very hard time but all the support made it so much easier to cope,” Steve shares. “St Luke’s were always on the end of the phone making sure that I was ok too. It made me feel like I wasn’t on my own.”
Steve and Edward Wilson before completing their hike from Crewe to Llandudno in Debbie's memory
In gratitude for the care Debbie received, Steve and his 18-year-old son Edward completed a 75-mile hike over three days from Crewe to Llandudno - one of Debbie’s favourite places. They also took part in the Midnight Walk, and have raised over £3,000 to help the Hospice support other families.
"Debbie’s stay at the Hospice made all the difference - sadly just for a few months - but it meant we could do things together rather than her being housebound. She was able to sit out and enjoy the garden and it just made such a difference to her final months. It was literally life changing for that short period of time.”
Debbie & Steve on their Wedding Day
This winter, we’re inviting you to welcome a very special visitor into your home - our beautiful St Luke’s robin - in return for a donation that will help us continue providing compassionate care.
Many of us hold close the comforting saying, “Robins appear when loved ones are near.” These gentle little birds often arrive just when we need them most, stirring memories of those we’ve loved and lost. In gardens, on windowsills, or quietly watching from a nearby branch, the sight of a robin brings peace, comfort and reassurance.
With this sentiment in mind, we’re proud to share our St Luke’s robin ornament - a heartfelt tribute to those we carry in our hearts. The robin makes a beautiful addition to your home, or a meaningful gift for a friend or family member this Christmas.
Whether it perches on a mantelpiece, a bedside table, or next to a treasured photograph, your robin is more than a decoration - it’s a symbol of love, remembrance, and hope.
Measuring 8cm from beak to tail and 5cm tall, each robin is available for a suggested donation of just £10, with every penny supporting patients and families facing the most difficult of times this Christmas.
Give our robin a home this festive season!
Visit www.slhospice.co.uk/robin to make your donation and order online. Alternatively, complete the form opposite and return it with your donation, or call our friendly Donor Care Team on 01606 555816. Thank you.
Share Your Garden Grow Our Care!
Do you love your garden? If so, can you help?
Next summer, we are inviting you to host your own Open Garden to raise funds for specialist patient care at St Luke’s.
Whether your garden is big or small, formal or wild, every garden makes a difference! You’ll be supported every step of the way by our friendly fundraising team, who will provide everything you need, from posters and donation buckets to top tips and encouragement.
Why open your garden?
By opening your garden, you're not just sharing your love of gardening, you're supporting compassionate, expert care for people in our community living with life-limiting illnesses. Every plant admired and every donation received helps us continue to offer our essential services.
It’s simple to take part:
• Sign up to host your own event on our website or contact one of our Community Team.
• Choose your date.
• Decide if you'd like to offer refreshments or perhaps host a plant sale.
• We'll help you every step of the way to ensure your event is a sucess.
To find out more about how to host your own Open Garden event please email community@slhospice.co.uk or call our Community Team on 01606 555811.
A Winning Partnership
A winning partnership on and off the pitch...
For a second consecutive season, St Luke’s is being proudly represented on Crewe Alexandra Football Club's third kit - a meaningful gesture made possible by the incredible generosity of Whitby Morrison.
The Crewe-based, ice cream van manufacturer has kindly donated the front-of-shirt sponsorship to St Luke's to help raise awareness of our carejust as fellow, long standing, Hospice supporters Mornflake did last season.
That kit became something of a lucky charm, as The Railwaymen remained unbeaten whenever they wore it!
Even more importantly, the shirt raised vital awareness of our work well beyond the borders of Cheshire, helping to raise over £3,500 for patient care! £5 from every shirt sale comes directly to the Hospice.
The new design, featuring elegant pale pink stripes on a clean white base, is sure to be a hit with fans. We hope it brings more good fortune to the team as they push for promotion this season.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Whitby Morrison for their kind gesture and to Crewe Alexandra FC for once again wearing our logo with pride.
Show your support for Crewe Alex and St Luke’s by purchasing the special third kit, by visiting:
www.thealexandrastore.co.uk
To show your support for Crewe Alex and the Hospice you can order the new third kit at www.thealexandrastore.co.uk
St Luke's complementary therapist Claire Sanders and Day Hospice Sister Sarah Whitby with Crewe goalkeeper Tom Booth
Thanks to kind supporters who donate regularly to our Hospice, we are able to continue providing our vital care and support to those who need us - people like Daniel and Pauline who have kindly shared their stories with us. Together we can make this difference.
Daniel feels listened to Because of you...
For 29-year-old Daniel, receiving complementary therapies at home has brought more than just relief from pain - it has been, in his words, “life changing”.
Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and heart failure, Daniel receives weekly Reiki and Reflexology from St Luke’s Complementary Therapist, Kath.
“Even though physically I’m still struggling with my heart and my pain, it gives me some solace knowing that my spirit feels a bit free and less heavy when I’ve had the treatment," Daniel shares. "I really feel lifted because Kath listens to me and sometimes, as a person with a disability, I don’t feel that a lot of people give me the chance to have a voice.
Kath Murphy provides our Complementary Therapies at Home service
"Kath always asks me what pain I’m in and what she can do to help, and that, on a spiritual level, is really kind. It means more than I can express in words.”
Daniel has also found that the therapies help his anxiety. He explains: “Reflexology really helps with the circulation in my feet and it calms me right down. To start with I felt a bit vulnerable but now I feel so safe. When you lose your independence, it can feel overwhelming - like you want to scream - but with Kath I feel like I can switch off and don’t have to worry. It means I can be a better support to the people I love."
“I owe St Luke’s so much. Being so young, it’s scary going through what I’m going through. To have that time when I can switch off, and my worries don't seem as frightening, is so important. I forget about all the stuff I’m going through and it really is life changing to be honest. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Pauline is making the most of precious family time
After dedicating more than 40 years to caring for others in local care homes, Pauline Llewellyn from Weaverham is now receiving the care and support she needs in our Day Hospice.
Diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer last year and given just months to live, Pauline has been attending our Wellbeing Days. She says the Hospice has become a lifeline during this time.
"I don’t know what I would have done without St Luke’s,” Pauline shares. “I don’t think I would still be here, to be completely honest. You don’t come here to die – you come here to live. They lift you up.”
A highlight of her visits has been painting with Hospice volunteers and receiving support from specialist nurses.
With a large and loving family, Pauline treasures every moment she gets to spend with them. She says the Hospice has helped her make the most of this precious time.
“The only way I can describe it is that when you walk through the doors of the Hospice, it’s like someone wraps a big, warm blanket around you,” she says. “That feeling stays with you from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. It’s like coming home –they’re like a family. I get more support here than from any other healthcare."
Reflecting on her life, Pauline says she feels deeply grateful: “I’ve had a really good life. I’ve got wonderful kids, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren who make my life complete to be honest. When I come to the end I want to be in St Luke’s when I pass, because there’s just so much kindness. Everyone at the Hospice should be very proud of the care they provide.”
Pauline with Day Hospice Nurse
Sue Spencer
Make a Will Month
Protect your loved ones, while supporting St Luke's with our Make a Will Month.
This October, as part of our Make a Will Month, a number of generous local solicitors are waiving their usual fees to write or update your Will. In return, you're asked to make a donation to St Luke’s - helping us continue to care for patients and families when they need it most.
It's simple, and it's a win-win. By taking part you get peace of mind knowing your affairs are in order, while directly supporting local hospice care. We suggest a donation of £150 for a single Will and £250 for a double Will –a significant saving on usual costs.
To book your appointment, simply contact one of the participating solicitors and mention St Luke’s Hospice to ensure you're booked in as part of the scheme.
A Gift in Your Will
By taking part in Make a Will Month, you’re already showing your care for others. If you’re able, please also consider including a gift to St Luke’s in your Will. These thoughtful legacies
help us continue to provide our vital care, ensuring that everyone has the support they need for generations to come.
Together, we can make sure that hospice care lives on for all, for now, forever. Thank you, as always, for your support.
For more information regarding the participating solicitors please visit: www.slhospice.co.uk/will
For more information about 'Make a Will Month' or leaving a gift in your Will to St Luke's please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/will
Every number counts...
St
Luke’s Lottery has been a lifeline for our Hospice since 1994, raising over £14 million and helping to fund the care of 1 in every 5 patients. At just £1 a week to play, it’s one of the easiest - and most rewarding - ways to support your local Hospice, with the chance to win fantastic cash prizes each week. But don’t just take our word for it, hear from some of our recent lucky winners and see how giving a little can make a big difference…
Pete McLachlan from Hartford, a dedicated volunteer at our Furniture Warehouse since 2015, is one of our most recent winners. After playing the Lottery for nearly 10 years, he said the winning moment “came completely out of the blue.” Pete added, “I don’t play to win; I do it to help out the Hospice.”
Patricia Woodall from Winsford won £1,000 in July, having played our Lottery since the very beginning. She described the winning call as a “big surprise” - and the timing couldn’t have been better. With her daughter’s wedding taking place in early August, Patricia used the prize money to treat guests to champagne and breakfast before the big day.
Funding the care of 1 in every 5 patients.
Pete McLachlan pictured receiving the winning cheque!
End of an era
After 21 years of extraordinary dedication, our much-loved fundraising champion, Jane Thompson, will be retiring this Septemberpassing on the baton after a career that has left an indelible mark on St Luke’s and hospice care nationwide.
Jane has led our Events Team with boundless creativity, determination and heart. Her innovative ideas and tireless efforts have helped raise millions of pounds - not only for St Luke’s, but also for hospices across the UK. Many of you will know Jane’s friendly face from our biggest fundraising events, from the unforgettable Midnight Walk to the joy-filled Bubble Rush. Her enthusiasm has been infectious, inspiring everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.
Jane’s journey with St Luke’s changed forever in 2005, when she met patient Claudia McLaughlan. Too unwell to take part in the Moon Walk in London, Claudia suggested we host our own walk, closer to home. Jane took that idea and, with her trademark drive, turned it into reality. The first Midnight Walk lit up the streets that year - and went on to become our most successful annual fundraising event. To date, it has raised over £2.5 million for St Luke’s and inspired more than 100 hospices nationwide to create night walks of their own.
Jane’s vision didn’t stop there. She played a key role in bringing 'Bubble Rush' to St Luke's and hospices across the country - an event that quickly became a family favourite.
Claire Langston, Director of Income Generation for St Luke's, summed it up perfectly: “Jane’s creativity, determination, and generosity of spirit have shaped our events programme into something truly special. She leaves behind a legacy that will inspire us for years to come.”
If you would like to support St Luke's by taking part in one of our fundraising events, please
Jane Thompson pictured at her last Midnight Walk this summer
moments this Christmas...
As the festive season approaches, we warmly invite you to this year’s Christmas Tree Festival and Christmas Cinema. Join us from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November, with the Christmas Cinema taking place on Saturday 22nd, all set within the beautiful historic surroundings of St Mary’s Church in Nantwich.
The charm of our Christmas Tree Festival…
St Mary’s Church, Nantwich will be transformed between the 21st to 23rd November showcasing over 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees that will light up the church with magical colours and festive spirit. Local businesses, organisations, and individuals will each bring their own festive touch to the trees, every one a unique masterpiece.
Enjoy the warm ambiance, mulled wine, Christmas music and the enchanting surroundings of St Mary’s. Everyone is welcome and this is a great event for all the family.
There is no need to book, simply turn up. Find out more at www.slhospice.co.uk/treefestival
Swing into Christmas...
Thursday 20th November 7:00pm – 10:30pm at St Mary's Church.
Join us for a magical evening as we unveil our stunning Christmas Tree Festival at our ticket only event.
Mark Daniels joins us once more to perform classic Christmas swing music along with some classics. Think “Let it Snow” and favourites such as “My Way” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing!" There will be a licenced bar serving prosecco, beer and soft drinks.
Pre-book your tickets at www.slhospice.co.uk/swing
Celebrate the season with classic Christmas movies!
Saturday 22nd November from 5:00pm
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 on the Saturday is the much loved, family favourite 'Elf' at 5pm followed by the classic 'Scrooge' (A Christmas Carol 1951) at 8pm. There will be a licenced bar serving prosecco, beer and soft drinks.
Pre-booking is essential to secure your seat. Visit www.slhospice.co.uk/events
For more information and to book your tickets you can visit www.slhospice.co.uk/events
