In memory of our beautiful mum - Linda Milburn x

On the 13th July 2022 our world fell apart. Our beautiful and much loved mum, Linda Milburn, received the utterly devastating diagnosis that she had terminal cancer after being admitted into the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester with abdominal issues.

One week after being admitted we encountered the Winchester Hospice for the first time. The thought of mum going into a hospice was terrifying and unbearable in equal measure. The aim was to get her to a point where she could go home for a time but it was still difficult to process her even needing a hospice.

The hospice staff could not have done more to help us transition into this new world. Mum’s Loving nature and love and concern for others shone and she quickly developed beautiful relationships with all the staff. They could not have done any more to help and comfort her and us, her family. They would often choose to go and sit with us during her breaks!

After two weeks mum returned home from the hospice but this only lasted for a week as her condition started to deteriorate. On returning to the hospice she received an incredibly warm welcome from staff and again they did everything in their power to support her and us.

Over the next two weeks she seemed to decline hourly. Dad and I decided to stay in the hospice with her overnight and ended up staying there with her for two weeks solid. We effectively moved in. Again the staff welcomed us with open arms and an ear to offload if needed. They supported our every request and went above and beyond in providing us all with everything we needed, both emotionally and physically.

Early in the morning on 3rd September , just 7 weeks after diagnosis, mum passed peacefully away with dad and I holding her hands. We’re still in utter disbelief that she has gone but so relieved she’s no longer suffering pain. The 7 weeks were so short and painfully long at the same time.

Alongside visits and messages of support from friends and family the only thing that helped us get through this was the support and love from the hospice.

The Winchester Hospice is funded half and half by the NHS and half by charity donations. The staff wages and essentials are funded by the NHS but all the things that make life more bearable or ‘normal’ are charity funded.

I’d love to raise money to replace the fold up beds used by relatives when staying over in order to be close to their loved ones. The ones they had were either broken or damaged resulting in them being uncomfortable. I slept in a reclining chair for two weeks as I couldn’t face the beds! Any remaining funds would go towards things that make Life bearable whilst living in a hospice.

Therefore we’re raising money in aid of WINCHESTER HOSPICE FUNDRAISING CHARITY and every donation will help families in their hardest moments. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us xx

https://winchesterhospice.com/

love Sonia, Andy and Kevin