England Lioness and professional footballer Jess Carter has donated a pair of signed football boots and an England shirt to The Myton Hospices, in recognition of the care and support her dad, Chris, is receiving.
Jess visited Coventry Myton Hospice alongside her dad, Chris, to help support our vital work caring for people living with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Chris has been supported by Myton since being referred to our Patient & Carer Wellbeing Service following a series of life-changing diagnoses.
A week before Christmas in 2023, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 4 myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Then, in early 2025, he received further diagnosis of Stage 5 chronic kidney disease and heart failure. During one of his chemotherapy sessions, a hospital nurse suggested The Myton Hospices as a source of additional support.
Chris said:
I didn’t really have any expectations about Myton. I think a very common misconception about hospice care is that it’s just a place to die. But all I really knew was that I needed some support.
Since then, Chris has been receiving care through our Patient & Carer Wellbeing Service, including support from a Wellbeing Nurse, complementary therapy and counselling.
Speaking about the impact Myton has had, Chris said:
Between my Wellbeing Nurse, Complementary Therapist and Counsellor, I have everything I need. They all support me in different ways, but they work hand in hand and the outcome is the same. It’s wonderful.
Without Myton, I’m not sure how I’d be coping with everything. Everyone I’ve come into contact with has been phenomenal. It takes a special kind of person to work at a hospice.
Chris also hopes sharing his story will help challenge common misconceptions about hospice care.
He added:
People often think a hospice is just a place to die. But I feel quite alive when I come to Myton. Coming here has been one of the smartest things I’ve done, and it’s made a huge difference to me.
Jess, who began playing football at just four years old and has gone on to represent England on the international stage, wanted to give back to the charity supporting her dad.
Chris said:
It’s been incredible to watch Jess’s football career develop. It’s taken us to places we’d never been before and given us experiences we’ll always treasure. I’m so proud of everything she’s achieved.
Jason Levy, Director of Income Generation and Supporter Development at The Myton Hospices, said:
We are incredibly grateful to Jess for this generous donation, and to Chris for sharing his story. We are proud to be able to make a difference to people who need our support, and we are thankful to Jess for helping shine a light on the importance of hospice care in our community.
