A LOCAL charity has benefited from a private donation in appreciation for the care given to a much loved belated husband. Maxine Nichol handed over a cheque in excess of £300 to John Paul Stabler, the marketing manager at St Teresa’s, a hospice in Darlington.

David, her husband, had bile duct cancer and was admitted to St Teresa’s on New Years Eve 2010, but died 10 days later. He was 58 years old…Maxine said: “From the minute we came in here they were actually waiting for him on the stairs. In a very pleasant way I became surplus. He made a slight recovery for the first few days. They waited on him and gave him everything he wanted. David was given the attention that he needed and we never expected that I would be looked after either, but I was. For the first few days I was here all day until quite late at night, going home and then coming back. Then when things deteriorated quite suddenly, I was allowed to stay overnight. They made a bed up for me.”

Day care facilities at ‘The Woodlands’ based in Darlington; include a wide range of treatments such as complementary therapies and activities. In addition, the charity has round the clock availability for palliative treatment, from a highly skilled team of nurses and a consultant. In patient care has respite services, and terminal care where pain and symptom management can be closely supervised. Dedicated volunteers provide transport to and from hospital appointments. Counselling, social work and education provision combine in a multi-disciplinary way, to focus on the mental, spiritual and practical aspects that emerge during the difficult time of severe and life threatening ill health.

It costs a lot of money to provide top-notch health care. St Teresa’s are always happy to accept donations. There are many opportunities to participate in fund-raising events this year as it is the hospice’s 25th anniversary. For more details of the programme of events go to: www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk Hospice helpline is 01325 254321