Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In May we found ourselves entering the "dreaded"Hospice with our 27 year old terminally ill daughter Shel.  She had been fighting and losing a battle with cervical cancer for less than a year. We were full of fear and anxiety about what was to come next. We had never been in a hospice before. 

Within minutes we felt safe and supported and just knew that Shel was in good hands.  For the first time in a year I breathed a sigh of relief. I could go home knowing that our daughter Shel was not only going to get medical support for her pain but more importantly that she was being treated with a compassion and dignity and gentleness which had been previously absent in the hospital system.

Her stay became extended as they fought the pain battle along side her. Shel suffered so much but they never stopped exploring ways of trying to relieve her of it, never gave up on her.

As her days there turned into weeks and months the staff at Katharine house went the extra mile day after day by understanding that Shel needed to live her life to the max. They supported us in taking her out as much as possible, they willingly accepted sometimes quite a crowd of young people around the place, they even facilitated sleepovers for her friends. 

When Shel realised she may not see another Xmas we made a June Xmas day for her with extended family on a canal boat. On that day the staff woke her with carols. When she returned that evening her room had been transformed with Xmas decorations, a full tree with lights, a nativity scene and a pile of gifts on her bed.  We wept at their kindness. Above  and beyond their duty over and over again. 

4 days ago Shel became very poorly quite unexpectedly and so with no warning we were into her final few days. Again the support was just incredible, large groups were made more than welcome so that everyone could support and spend time with Shel and say their farewells. We were offered onsite accommodation so we never had to leave her but could bath and change and grab short breaks of sleep.

The ultimate in support was yet to follow. They held our hands and helped us through the final painful hour of our beautiful Shel's life. As we wept, they wept with us but encouraged and stayed with us throughout what was the most distressing, frightening and heartbreaking thing we will ever have to do. As Shel became finally peaceful and passed from this world they comforted and took over with all the practical jobs so that we could just be quiet and begin the grieving process.

As I write this it is day 1 of our life without Shel. Our hearts are so so heavy with loss and our tears just won't stop for more than a few minutes at a time but I need to ask people to support the place that helped our little girl, her family and friends in such an incredible way. 

I would love it if this page could raise £100 for each of Shel's 27 years and even then it feels a humble contribution to such an incredible place with such incredible people behind the door, from consultants to nurses and cleaners and cooks to the wonderful volunteers who all make Katharine House a special house.

Since writing our story we have been overwhelmed at people's donations, messages, gestures. Many people who only met Shel briefly have taken the time to contact us and make a donation.   All an amazing tribute to our beautiful daughter!!

We continue to grieve now 11 weeks later and miss her so much.  Katharine House continue to support us with bereavement counselling and the staff there continue to greet me warmly always having time for a hug and a cuppa whenever i am passing.

Also since writing our story, her friends have begun a new project called Challenge27 in memory of Shel.  They want to help too as they saw first hand what Katharine House did for their precious dear friend. So they will be holding and hosting and attending events over the next 15 months (the total length of Shel's illness).  They have set themselves a high target of £27,000 and so i have adjusted this page accordingly

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