Lindsey Bowser will be taking part in Make and Will Fortnight and leaving a legacy to the hospice in memory of her husband Quentin, who died in 2018.

Lindsey said: “For a number of years my husband Quentin and I regularly participated in fundraising for the hospice at our local village pub. Then Quentin was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 49 and in his last months and weeks received incredible care, initially from the Katharine House Community Nursing team and then within the inpatient unit. The care was absolutely exceptional, as was the support given to our family.  

“What was also so important - and valued - were the seemingly little things, such as being able to bring our dog in to visit him every day where we could sit outside in the beautiful garden with Baxter at his feet. It is such a positive and tranquil environment, which also affords moments of genuine laughter and joy, and that is absolutely priceless to both patients and their families.

“When you lose somebody, you always think, ‘Is there anything else I could have done?’ But I know, thanks to Katharine House, that the answer is no.

“I know he was in the right place. He was at peace and that is such a gift.”

Lindsay has recently become a trustee for Katharine House because of the positive impact the charity has had on her life and the lives of family and friends.

“I truly believe that Katharine House is unique. I don’t think any other hospice offers the same. It’s a very special place.”

Quentin had 18 months of chemotherapy and was visited by the Katharine House community nurse team, before being referred to the hospice for symptom control. Sadly, that symptom control then led to end-of-life care.

“Katharine House has had a massive impact on me. Having seen it from the perspective of someone who has received care from the hospice.

“I thought that he would want, and I thought that I would want, to be at home when the end came. But actually, when we visited the hospice for his symptom control, he said he didn’t want to go home. He wanted to be in a place where he could have 24-hour pain relief. He knew that he was going to be really looked after at the hospice. And he didn’t want to put me through it.

“He absolutely loved his bay and struck up a friendship with one of the other patients; they had a right good laugh.”

Please help us help people like Quentin

It is thanks to the donations of our wonderful supporters that we're able to continue providing care to people affected by life-limiting illnesses, helping them make the most of the time they have left and create quality memories with their loved ones. If you would like to make a donation, please click on the button below.

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Katharine House Hospice

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