Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the winter of 2011 and spent over four years battling this terrible disease. Her determination to live as long as she could was inspirational. Even when the odds against her were stacked impossibly high she refused to stop trying - even if it meant bullying her poor doctors into giving her yet another gruelling round of chemotherapy. She put her body through hell in order to buy us precious time to make extra memories - and I am so, so grateful for this. 

Last year mum's favourite district nurse suggested she visit the Myton Hospice day centre in Coventry. Like so many, mum had always associated the word 'hospice' with dying. But Myton is so much more than a place where people go to die. Most of the work they do is symptom control, offering respite care for people having a particularly difficult spell. And then there is the day centre mum visited every Wednesday for months. 

Mum was fiercely independent. Not being able to work or care for herself took its toll. Myton day centre became her private sanctuary. It was somewhere she could go on her own. She was picked up and dropped home by a volunteer driver so didn't need to rely on anyone for lifts. Once there she'd have massages, manicures, counselling plus a three course meal and her favourite tipple. If she was having a bad day the nurses would tuck her up in her favourite arm chair with a blanket and just talk to her. 

But this incredible charity desperately needs more money. Mum was devastated when she discovered that while Myton has 20 beds in Coventry, it can only afford to staff half of these. So rather than send flowers we ask that you please consider donating the money you would have spent to Myton. 

It is clear from the wonderful messages of love and support we have received how much mum meant to everyone. Thank you on behalf of the family - we will miss her always. 

Victoria x