A local Burntwood man is making a heartfelt appeal for people to support St Giles Hospice in their 40th anniversary year, after the charity cared for his wife, Anna, before her death in May 2021. Matt Morgan, 49, said his final farewells to Anna just a day before their 7th wedding anniversary.
Speaking about Anna’s journey, Matt said: “Anna was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and, after a long journey, it was deemed ‘not curable’. That’s when St Giles Hospice came into the picture. St Giles supported Anna with respite visits, medication management and Hospice at Home care.”
During Anna’s final year of life, the COVID-19 pandemic posed an additional challenge to the care provided to her by St Giles Hospice. Reflecting on this time, Matt said: “I thought the support and specialist care that St Giles provided for Anna and the rest of our family was brilliant. Despite the COVID-19 circumstances, they were so accommodating, and the carers, nurses and doctors were just brilliant.”
In May 2022, one year after Anna's death, and on the weekend of their wedding anniversary and Anna's birthday, Matt, his family and friends organised a fundraiser as a thank you to St Giles Hospice, raising an incredible £3,000. Matt said: “We held a fundraising event at the Drill Inn, Burntwood, including a raffle with 50 prizes as part of the day.”
Reflecting on his fundraising success, Matt added: “I chose to fundraise for St Giles because I was so impressed and happy with the care that Anna had received from them. I also wanted to do something special in Anna’s memory. I’d encourage anyone thinking about fundraising for St Giles to just do it. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, whatever you do, just do something!”
Sharon Meehan, Ward Manager at St Giles Hospice, is also encouraging people to fundraise for St Giles in their 40th anniversary year. Sharon said: “2023 marks a very special year for St Giles Hospice, celebrating our 40th anniversary.
“By fundraising for St Giles and celebrating our 40th anniversary, people can help us to continue to provide care and support for patients and their loved ones, today, for the next 40 years and beyond. We can continue to be there for families just like Matt’s, when they need us the most.”
St Giles Hospice is encouraging people to celebrate their amazing 40th anniversary milestone by holding their very own fundraising activity. There are lots of ways you can get involved and help. £40, £400, or £4,000 – every donation helps to make a difference to local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.
