Sue Ryder stories

More than 35 people came together to walk a half marathon in Wokingham in memory of their ‘much loved and brilliant’ friend and colleague, Laura de la Pascua.

Laura was cared for in her final days by the team at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and wanting to do something to celebrate her life, her work colleagues at Dell Technologies, alongside family and friends, organised the mammoth walk to raise funds for our expert care.

Laura' colleague, Sandrine Leroux-Graves, helped to organise the walk and said: “Laura was at peace and so well looked after, and I know she was so appreciative of having that space to share with her family and friends.

“We’ve raised £8,000 in total, which will be very valuable to support others in their final stage of life. We're thrilled to have been able to give something back to Sue Ryder in honour of our friend.”

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“We have one chance to get a person’s end-of-life choices right – and we do that,” says Helen Mansell, Head of Community Services at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

Helen, who is due to retire at the end of March after working at the hospice for three years out of a 23-year career in palliative and end-of-life care, has shared why she believes more people should choose this rewarding career.

“I have been in nursing for many years, and during that time I have been lucky enough to make a difference for many patients and work out how best to support each individual person.

“We are honoured at Sue Ryder to be a part of a patient’s end-of-life experience. The care we provide is very person-centred and it is so rewarding to be a part of that.”

Register for our Careers Day

Join us for tea, coffee and cake every first Monday of the month, from 10.30am to 12.30pm in The Community Hub at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Come along and meet other members of your local community, for light refreshments and a chat.

Find out more about our upcoming events

Gloucestershire residents can now access more free, informal peer-to-peer bereavement support at Sue Ryder's fifth Grief Kind Space in Gloucestershire.

The new Sue Ryder Grief Kind Space will take place every Tuesday from 10am until midday at The Boat on the Docks, The Barge Arm, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2DN.

There is no need to register or book, just pop along. 

Find out more about Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces

A wild swimmer raised thousands of pounds by braving the icy waters this winter in memory of her friend.

Amy Brown decided to set herself the challenge of taking the plunge into icy open waters each day for 21 days after Sue Ryder supported her friend Dawn Barrett before she died.

Amy said: “Dawn told me her cancer had spread in November last year and from that point, she declined quite quickly and spent her final days being cared for at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

“I feel great that I’ve managed to turn a personal challenge into a fundraiser raising over £2,000.”

Dawn’s friends and family also came together to celebrate Dawn’s life and raised more than £4,000 for Sue Ryder.

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The second annual Jigsaw Festival has raised more than £6,000 for our expert care.

The festival took place on Sunday 28th January at Woodbank Nurseries in Bingley and gave members of the public a chance to choose from thousands of puzzles, whilst supporting the hospice.

Lynne Pengelly from the Wilsden Fundraising Group, which organised the event, said: "It's such a pleasure to be involved with this event and we are absolutely thrilled with the funds we have been able to raise for our local hospice.”

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A Sue Ryder service giving South Oxfordshire people palliative care at home through the night is being extended, thanks to the support of the Anthony (Tony) Lane Foundation.

The night service launched in summer 2023 and following a first cash boost from the Henley-based foundation, has already delivered 1,310 hours of night-time care to local families, helping them remain at home and giving families greater flexibility and reassurance.

Thanks to a second donation from the Foundation, Sue Ryder now aims to increase the number of hours it can offer through the night, providing this much-needed support to more local people.

Interested in working with us? Find our latest vacancies online or email recruitment@sueryder.org

Investment management firm Invesco has announced that it will continue to support Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire by sponsoring a nurse for a fourth year.

The company, which has sponsored Sue Ryder Nurse, Lindsey Pitkin, since January 2021, has also increased its level of sponsorship to £19,000 for 2024.

In Lindsey’s specialist role, which requires gaining additional qualifications, Lindsey provides information and advice on pain control and symptom management, helps patients plan their future care, and offers emotional support to patients and families.

Lindsey said: “I am very proud to be the Invesco-sponsored nurse and I am so pleased that Invesco has increased their generous sponsorship to support Sue Ryder.”

Find out more about a career in palliative care

Talking about her experiences after 27 years of working for Sue Ryder, Jill Draycott has revealed what a ‘privilege’ it is to be invited into a person’s home at such an important time of their life.

Jill, Clinical Team Leader, said: “We support people with everything from symptom control to providing end-of-life care - no two days are the same.

“Providing care in someone’s home is very different to working in a hospice. Looking after someone in their own home is a privilege.

“Knowing I have done something to make the person feel more comfortable is a great feeling, especially when you see the relief on their face and the faces of their family. Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire is a wonderful, life-affirming place to work.”

Register for our Careers Day on Tuesday 5th March

Assure Consulting Ltd has once again signed up to support Sue Ryder throughout 2024, with several fundraising events over the next 12 months.

This year marks the second time the consulting company has chosen Sue Ryder as its charity of the year - having raised thousands of pounds in memory of a colleague who was cared for at Sue Ryder St John's Hospice in 2022.

The big-hearted employees plan to do several challenges throughout the year including the Bedford Dragon Boat Festival and Starlight Hike. As part of their commitment, staff from Assure will also offer hands-on support to the hospice through volunteering in their gardens and at events.

Interested in supporting as a corporate partner? Find out more on our website or email the team at stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org

Karen Rondan, 66, has thanked nurses at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice for ‘putting her back together again’.

Karen, from Stamford, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, but was found to be allergic to chemotherapy and other conventional medication. The cancer later spread to her spine causing paralysis, and after a lengthy hospital stay, she was finally moved to Thorpe Hall Hospice in August 2017.

Karen said: “I was completely broken when I came to Thorpe Hall Hospice. I came here thinking it was a place for me to die. If I had known a bit more about hospices, I wouldn’t have been so fearful. I’m a totally different person now to the one who arrived here and that’s down to the amazing staff.

“That first night I knew I was in good hands. I felt so safe and secure and that is how it’s been ever since. I’ve felt there is no need to worry. People genuinely care here. You feel listened to and that is so reassuring.

“I felt like I had given up on my life. I was given it back piece by piece. I can see myself now and I can see a life and I can see hope.”

Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice are currently recruiting for nurses to help more people like Karen.

Find out more and search our job opportunities

A supporter from Werrington who started fundraising six years ago in memory of her mum has now raised more than £25,000 for our expert care.

In 2017, leading up to 20 years since her mum's death, Holli Posnett pledged to raise £5,000 as her mum was cared for by the team at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

“I was just 12 when my mum died, but I remember how amazing the nurses and staff were. They really do everything they possibly can to make the patients and family members feel comfortable and at ease at some of the hardest points of their lives,” she said.

By 2020, Holli had hit a milestone of £20,000 and determined not to stop there, has now raised a staggering £25,641.57!

Read more about Holli’s fundraising on her Memorial to Christine Posnett page.

Discover how you can fundraise in memory

“It feels good to be giving something back and know I’m doing something useful,” says volunteer Elaine Stones, 65, who runs the Morley Fundraising Group in Leeds to help raise vital funds for Sue Ryder.

“My husband Graham had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour two years before and we were referred to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice by the hospital. They were very supportive, particularly towards the end when we really needed it.

“My husband wanted to die at home, so we had Sue Ryder Nurses coming to the house to care for him. They were absolutely brilliant. They helped so much.”

Having met one of the hospice’s fundraisers at a local cricket match, Elaine decided to get involved by setting up a local fundraising group in Morley.

“I like doing it! I enjoy meeting people, talking to people. I also know I’m doing something good.”

Find out about volunteering with us

Super supporter, Ray Chan, has completed an epic challenge to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder, cycling 500 kilometres in six days along desert tracks.

Ray has so far raised more than £1,800 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, who cared for his mum in her final days.

“Mum spent her last few days in Wheatfields Hospice. It was the first time I fully understood what a hospice does. It’s a lovely place. The staff were really kind, attentive, and respectful.

Ray decided to embark on cycling brand Rapha’s Festive 500 Challenge, where cycling enthusiasts ride 500km in eight days, between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

“All in all, I think it took me 30 hours, over six days, to complete. I felt amazing afterwards. Doing the challenge gave me time to reflect and process the trauma of the past few months.”

See how you can fundraise for us