A Cleator Moor woman has helped raise funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria after the treatment she and her son received.

Pauline Grears from Cleator Moor, decided to get crafty and help raise valuable funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria after receiving treatment from the hospice.

In 2022, her son David was diagnosed with a palliative illness and referred into the charity for end of life services, receiving complementary therapy sessions to support him during his illness.

After David had passed away Pauline was referred to the charity’s family and bereavement team for one-to-one support.

Cindy Hoten, Complementary Therapist at Hospice at Home West Cumbria said: “Once Pauline’s one-to-one sessions were complete an internal referral was made for her to have Reiki from me to help her physically relax and come to terms with where she is in her own grieving process.”

Hospice at Home West Cumbria supports people who are bereaved through palliative illness, and their services include emotional wellbeing support through groups, one-to-one sessions and complementary therapies. 

Despite mobility becoming an issue, Pauline has busied herself making many wonderful items such as woollen palm hearts, angel keyrings and painted pebbles, which she donates to Hospice at Home West Cumbria to bring comfort to palliative patients, their family members and the bereaved.

Pauline knows only too well what it means to have such support when experiencing loss, and speaking of the services she has received said: “Thank you so much for the love and care you have given me over the last weeks. It has helped me a great deal. Cindy and Hospice at Home have given me, David and the family so much support over the last two years and it has been invaluable. I can’t thank you all enough, you are all angels in disguise. I know I still have a long way to go but you have truly made a difference to me at the worst time in my life. Words really aren’t enough”.

Cindy continued: “Pauline has been going through an incredibly difficult time, yet she has shown such strengths, love and positivity. It is inspiring that in a time of feeling so much grief, she is able to spread light and joy to people of West Cumbria”. 

Pauline’s handmade items are available at the Therapy and Information Centre on Finkle Street in Workington, whilst stocks last, and are available for a small contribution to the charity. 

Hospice at Home West Cumbria provides palliative and end of life care to patients and their families across West Cumbria. We need to raise over £1.5 million each year to deliver these vital services which are provided FREE of charge to those who need them.

If you would like to volunteer your time or donate towards the work of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, please contact us on 01900 873173 or email: info@hhwc.org.uk to find out how you can help.