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Lisa and her two children, aged 9 and 7, along with their family and friends, are commemorating the life of beloved husband, dad, son and brother, Simon, the year he would have turned 40.
At 33 years old, in 2018 Simon was diagnosed with kidney cancer and after a year of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the Palliative Care Team mentioned Myton’s services.
Simon was admitted to Warwick Myton Hospice for symptom control in November 2019, but it was evident that Simon was too poorly to go back home.
Lisa commented:
The doctors and nurses knew that Simon’s body was showing signs that he only had a few days left and we should prepare to say our goodbyes. We brought the children in and had family and friends by our side. We played music and prayed together.
Simon died only 15 hours after he was admitted on 27th November 2019, aged 34 years old.
Lisa continued:
I am so grateful to Myton. As a couple in our thirties, we had no idea what a hospice looked like but from the minute we arrived, I knew this was the place to be. I knew the team had it from there and I vividly remember a nurse telling me I didn’t need to care for him anymore – that I could be his wife again.
Myton were our safety net and made his last few hours as comfortable as possible, it was a short but instrumental part of Simon being able to have a peaceful death.
Lisa’s children received individual counselling from Myton and attend our Children’s Bereavement Workshops.
Lisa said:
The support we’ve received since has been amazing. The counselling and workshops have been really beneficial for them both, they’ve made memory boxes, photo frames and planted seeds.
To know they’ve had this support and have a place to go to feel seen means more than I can describe. To have a specialist counselling team dedicated to bereavement, which is such a specialised field, has been so important to my children.
Simon died just three days before our daughter’s third birthday so she doesn’t remember many specific events. But she does recall all the emotions she felt at the time.
Having someone to talk to and activities to complete allows her to make sense of everything she’s feeling. And to know both of them can access this support up until the age of 18 is a lifeline.
Simon would have turned 40 on 2nd December 2024 and earlier this year Simon's family wanted to commemorate by fundraising in his memory.
Lisa and her partner Dan braved their fears and took part in our June Skydive. Simon’s brother, Adam, Brigette (sister in law) and mother, alongside Simon’s children and nephews are conquering the Inflatable 5K. Lisa’s parents also took part in this year’s Walk for Myton in memory of their son in law, raising £500.
Lisa said:
The children are really excited for the Inflatable 5K and I’m looking forward to experiencing it with them.
Lisa and the whole family have absolutely smashed their targets, raising an incredible £4,329 between them!
I’m really happy we’re in a position to talk about Simon and celebrate his life as he was all about living life to the fullest, while raising money for Myton. The amount we’ve raised is a testament to Simon and the kids. It just shows how much he was loved and how much people want to support his children.
The mum of a child in my son’s class has recently died at Myton and it really brought it home for me. The reason why I donate and fundraise is so other people can receive the same excellent care my family received.
The children and I regularly talk about why we’re taking on these challenges, and the conversation always comes back to how we wish everyone who needs it can access Myton’s wonderful services.
It’s your worst nightmare and you wish you never have to go to Myton. But if you do, they can be there for you.
We couldn’t be more grateful to Lisa, her family and everyone who has supported their challenges.
We hope to raise £240,000 which could fund the recruitment, training and salary for five registered nurses for a year, to ensure more people in Coventry and Warwickshire can access a Hospice Bed.
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