Every Goodbye Matters

My name is David and my Dad, John, was at the hospital earlier this year. Dad spent his final week of life at Glenfield Hospital. He was 83 years old and had lived in Melton Mowbray all his life.

We didn’t want Dad to be alone
Nothing prepares you for sitting beside someone you love, knowing you are saying goodbye.

Dad was admitted to the hospital with heart problems but during treatment doctors discovered a perforated stomach ulcer, which caused devastating complications. Suddenly, we went from hoping he would recover to being told we were going to lose him.

My brother, sister and I stayed by his side as much as we possibly could. We didn’t want him to be alone during those final days.

The days and nights blurred together. We were exhausted, emotional, frightened, and trying to hold each other together while facing the reality that we were saying goodbye to Dad.

Anyone who has spent nights in a hospital will understand how difficult that is. You don’t sleep properly. Your body aches. Your mind never switches off. Every sound wakes you. Yet you stay because every minute with the person you love suddenly feels precious.

At first, we slept in chairs beside his bed.

Then a simple moment changed everything. We were offered a Z-bed. A fold-out bed that could be placed next to Dad’s hospital bed.

It may sound like a small thing, but for my family, it meant everything.
For the first time in days, one of us could lie down properly. Even an hour or two of sleep helped us cope emotionally and physically.

I will never forget what a difference that bed made.

At such a painful and emotional time, it brought a small amount of comfort, dignity and humanity when we needed it most.

The care we received from hospital staff was extraordinary. They treated Dad with such kindness and dignity, and cared for us as a family. Their compassion is something I will always carry with me.

What we experienced made us realise how important simple comforts can be when families are facing the hardest moments of their lives.

Right now, not every family across Leicester’s hospitals has access to a Z-bed when they need it. Leicester Hospitals Charity is raising funds to provide more Z-beds so families facing end-of-life care can stay close to the people they love, without spending long nights exhausted and sleeping upright in chairs.

Because when time is precious, families should be together.
Please help another family in a similar situation.
After losing Dad, our family wanted to give something back.

Because no family should face saying goodbye exhausted and uncomfortable, or be unable to stay close to someone they love.
Leicester Hospitals Charity is raising funds to provide more Z-beds across our hospitals, giving families facing end-of-life care the comfort and dignity of staying together when it matters most.

One Z-bed costs £1,380. The Charity is looking to fund 40 beds which will cost £55,200.

A simple fold-out bed may not sound life-changing.

But for families like ours, it means everything.
It means a daughter can stay beside her mum.
A husband does not have to leave his wife alone.
A son can hold his father’s hand for just a little longer.

Every goodbye matters, that is why I am supporting
this appeal.

Give a gift now or click here to go back to the landing page.