Help us pay for Christmas Day.

Every minute, every hour and every day our nurses are there to care. This Christmas, just like all the Christmases before, will be a very special day for all who spend it with us at St Cuthbert's Hospice. Decorations will be hung, trees will be trimmed, presents will be exchanged, crackers will be pulled, and our nurses will do all of the little things they usually do to make sure it is a day filled with treasured memories.

This year has once again been incredibly challenging for those in our care, their families and friends. Many families are aware that this will sadly be the last Christmas that they share with their loved ones. We are determined to do all we can, to make this Christmas memorable and full of love. To do this, we need your help.

We asked In-Patient Unit Nurse Michelle what it's like working at St Cuthbert's on Christmas Day. Fighting back the tears, she told us:

"It truly is such a special place to be on Christmas Day. I really could cry thinking about it. I have four kids, and while I'd absolutely love to spend the whole day with them, they understand mummy is a nurse and is caring for poorly people. They're so understanding."

"I feel like I get to have two Christmases, one at work then one when I go home. We become the patient's family for the day, just as much as they become ours too. It's a genuine privilege and honour to be with them at such a special time."

"We play Santa and leave gifts in everyone's room for them to open Christmas morning. Families are welcomed along with open arms. Our catering team make big Christmas lunches for anyone who wants them. They even prepare special festive versions of meals for those who aren't able to eat like they used to."

"We have music on all day and Christmas cheer fills the air. It's such a special day for so many reasons. Although it can be sad to think that it's the last Christmas for many of the people with us, it's not a sad day at all. It's a day filled with joy and all about making precious memories for the people we care for."

Our Housekeeper Val shares her memories of Christmas at St Cuthbert's:

I dont know how to fully explain why, but it is just an absolute pleasure to be here at this beautiful place on Christmas Day. My shift will see me working until around 2 or 3pm and in that time I will have said a Merry Christmas to all of the patients with us while I clean their rooms for them. Many will have family visit, which will be so nice to see given the challenges of the past few years with the pandemic. The staff give out little presents to the patients and in the past weve had small gatherings in the patient lounge where we bring everyone together if theyd like to. Though tinged with sadness, its always a happy day. Making memories and treasured moments. It really is just a great pleasure to be here and be part of that with the lovely team who I work Christmas Day with too."

At St Cuthbert's Hospice, we are determined to do all we can to make this Christmas memorable and full of love.

It costs £2,300 per day to provide the special care that we do at the Hospice. Please donate what you can to help pay for Christmas Day.

Any donation, small or large, will go towards paying for Christmas Day.