George's Story

In memory of George, a long‑time supporter of St Leonard’s, whose connection to the Hospice began with the care his wife, Janet, received in 2016.

Janet spent six weeks on our In‑Patient Unit, during which George visited every morning and every evening. On her final night, a doctor gently told him she didn’t have long, so he sat by Janet’s side, holding her hand, until she died peacefully at 6am.

Before coming to the Hospice, Janet had lived with cancer twice, and George had cared for her at home for as long as he could. “She went through so much,” he said, “but she was looked after here in a way I’ll never forget.”

Their story together began decades earlier, when George would take his newspaper to the local pub each evening. Janet worked behind the bar and would chat to him, offering him a cup of tea. Two weeks later they were on holiday in Jersey. After two years of courting, he proposed, but only after Janet insisted he asked her mother first. “Of course you can,” she told him, and they happily shared 31 years together.

After Janet died in May 2016, George began donating to the Hospice, including donating all his winnings from his quiz team. George has also chosen to leave St Leonard’s a gift in his Will. “It’s not about recognition,” George said. “It’s about gratitude.”

“When I think about this place, they give 100% attention to everybody. The treatment they give people like Janet and the incredible things they do to make things easier, St Leonard’s deserves all the support it can get.”

He remembers the small touches, too. The cards, the phone calls, the thanks. “They kept in touch after Janet died. That meant a lot. It’s a very special place.”

Having recently been cared for at the Hospice himself, George felt the same sense of comfort he felt all those years ago. “I’m delighted to be somewhere where I’ve been so well looked after,” he said.

George’s quiet generosity was his way of honouring Janet, and helping ensure that other families can find comfort during the hardest times.