On 17th May this year, my dad died. 

Dad had been fit and strong all his life (I don't think I can even remember him having a cold), but a series of somewhat mysterious medical issues blighted his final year.

His condition flummoxed the medics and he defied the odds so many times, particularly at Christmas, when we brought him home to die. Nobody knows how he pulled through, but he did. 

We were blessed with another five months of his wit and wisdom, as he battled the pain, frustration and indignities of his physical condition.

St Luke's played a vital role in his mental wellbeing, as well as his physical. It is a very special place indeed, and it was where he died. The nurses were tremendously supportive to us as a family too. 

After Dad died, Mum asked for a painting he had been working on at St Luke's some weeks earlier during a Thursday art class. It was his first such painting - a watercolour. It was brilliant, but he had been unable to finish it as his hands shook too much and he was in too much pain to use an easel. He had such artistic potential and we never knew until after his death. 

Please help St Luke's continue the wonderful work they do. Anything you can give will be hugely appreciated. I am trying to raise £1705.17 (the date of Dad's death) in two weeks. A bit bonkers, but I think we can do it. 

Thank you. 

Caroline 

Here is a word from St Luke's...

Since 1988, St Luke’s has been providing palliative care to local people, supporting them in ways which go beyond the scope and funding of the NHS. Last year we supported over 1,000 local people with a huge range of support from end of life care on our ward to supporting carers, and from helping children cope with grief to helping patients return to work after an illness.We are a charity and provide all our care for free, so we rely on the generosity and commitment of our supporters to raise more than 80% of our costs.