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‘I’d be lost without St Clare’s’
SMILING CARE ... auxiliary nurse Pat Ogilvie, left, with St Clares day care patient Margaret Roberts.
A ST Clare’s Hospice patient, who says she’d be lost without it, is hoping South Tynesiders will support the Gazette’s fundraising campaign.
Margaret Roberts has been a day care patient at the hospice in Primrose Terrace, Jarrow, for four years.
The gran-of-three said: “I love it, and I’ve met a lot of great friends.
“It’s become a big part of my life – I think I’d be lost without it.”
But the 63-year-old admits that she originally had the wrong idea about the hospice, which provides palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses, among other services.
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She said: “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, and one of the Macmillan nurses suggested that I go to the hospice.
“As soon as she said it, I said I wasn’t ready for dying, but she said I had the wrong end of the stick.
“The first time I went along, I was a bit nervous because, like lots of people, I thought once you’re through the door you don’t get back out, but it’s not like that at all.” The retired cleaner, of The Lonnen in Cleadon Park, South Shields, added: “I can talk to people about my problems, and it helps to get everything out in the open. It makes things easier to deal with.
“St Clare’s is a lovely place, full of happy, cheerful people. The staff always have a smile on their faces, and are there for you 100 per cent, no matter what you need.”
The hospice has annual running costs of £2m – £1.4m of which it must raise itself.
But this year it is facing a £50,000 shortfall and the Gazette launched its c/o St Clare’s campaign to help raise the funds.
Ms Roberts said: “I live on my own, so I enjoy coming here and having a good natter with everyone, and I’ve made some lovely friends.
“I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about it, like I did, but it really is a wonderful place that needs the public’s help.
“People need to get behind the Gazette’s campaign and support it.”
Twitter: @ShieldsGazVicki
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Weather for Jarrow
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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