Kenneth Calcutt used to enjoy the social activities at Saint Francis Hospice and has been playing its Lottery to raise funds for many years, but he had no idea that it would be the best place to go when he suffered chronic back pain.

Kenneth, 84, has been living with chronic back pain after radiotherapy to treat his prostate cancer damaged his spine.

The pain became so severe that Kenneth struggled to cope but to his surprise, help came from an unexpected place.

“I was at a low ebb and I couldn’t see daylight because I was in permanent pain,” said Kenneth from Pilgrims Hatch.

“I was not taking any medication because nothing I was prescribed was working.

“I received a call from Saint Francis Hospice asking if I would like to come in to see if they could do anything to relieve my pain.

“To be honest, I wasn’t very hopeful but I went in and after 7-10 days, I felt such a difference.

“There must be lots of people in my position and even worse who would not dream of approaching Saint Francis Hospice for help.

“And what’s even more amazing is that Saint Francis Hospice came to me.”
Kenneth is now back home and says he feels things are moving in the right direction because the hospice’s medical team were able to get his pain under control.

“I used to come to the day services at the Hospice and I loved meeting people and I remember having Christmas lunch one year and I’ve been playing the Lottery,” said Kenneth.

“I am absolutely over the moon and will be forever grateful for my time in the hospice.

“I went in with chronic back pain and I came out without chronic back pain. For me, that’s magic!”