Father-of-four Anthony Stephens received care during the last three months of his life in the hospice’s In-Patient Unit and at home. With his family by his side, Anthony died from lung cancer on 3 March 2018, just shortly before his 61st birthday.
“Dad was such a loving and caring person with an infectious laugh and sense of humour,” says Anthony’s daughter Louise Carless. “He always put his family and friends first. If you had a problem, you went to Dad, and he’d do anything he could to help.”
Even during his illness, former painter and decorator Anthony was thinking of ways to help others. “When he was staying in the hospice, Dad said he wanted to do something to show how much he appreciated the staff,” explains Louise, 35. “We all got together and started planning how we’d raise as much money as possible.”
As well as taking on the tough off-road Wolf Run challenge, Anthony’s friends and family threw a fundraising night with games, raffles and an auction and held a bowls event. In Anthony’s memory they have so far raised a staggering £4,202 – a total set to double thanks to match-funding from Mitchells and Butlers.
“We’re so grateful for the care John Taylor Hospice gave to our dad and to us,” adds Louise, pictured below (far right) with her father and siblings Anthony, Lisa and Ashley. “They were brilliant and the hospice felt like a home from home for all of us. We’re proud to have raised so much in Dad’s memory and very grateful to everyone who has supported us as this money will be able to help other families like ours.”
