Ken Davies was the life and soul of the party and when he sadly died in 2017. His family decided to host a ball in his memory and raised £3,544 for hospice care.

Ken was a wonderful singer and just months before he was referred to Saint Francis Hospice, he had sung at his daughter Steph Fordree’s wedding.

As his health deteriorated, Ken was able to access a wide range of specialist end of life services.

And when he died on February 3 last year, his family wanted to do something to honour the father and grandfather while helping other people who needed hospice care.

The ball was held at Top Meadow Golf Club in Upminster and was a stunning success thanks to the support of family and friends and the fabulous raffle prizes Steph was able to secure.

“My dad loved life and when he died it didn’t seem right to sit around and be miserable,” said Steph.

“He was so brave and always wanted to help people.

“There’s nothing we can do to repay the Hospice for what they did for us but it feels good to do something my dad would have wanted and he would have wanted to be at.

“Before he came to Saint Francis Hospice I didn’t fully understand what the Hospice did but now I feel part of the charity and I am so glad we can help other people who need the care of the hospice.”

Ken, who had battled cancer since 2013, was admitted to our inpatient unit for pain management in November 2016 and after six days on the ward he was able to return home.

He attended the day services at Pemberton Place and received physiotherapy to help him with his mobility and reflexology from our complementary therapy team.
And our Hospice at Home enabled Ken to fulfil his wish to die at home with his wife Brenda and their children Steph and Leigh by his side.

“Everyone at the Hospice was incredibly kind to Ken and our family and we could not have asked for more,” said Brenda.

“It wasn’t just Ken who needed help, I needed help too and when Ken died OrangeLine stepped in and they have always been there for me.”

Brenda attended the Hospice social group Friendly Faces and got to the point where she found herself needing less support as she regained her confidence.

And she says her experience with Saint Francis Hospice left her “feeling loved” and this year she became a volunteer and gives up a Sunday morning every month to work on reception.

“I absolutely love it,” said Brenda.

“I just feel it is my little pay back for the care and support Ken and I were given.”