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THE BUS LAUNCH

It was a momentous day for Mary Stevens Hospice and for one lady in particular when a local bus took a detour from its scheduled route to pay a visit to the home of the Stourbridge based charity.

The joyful occasion signified the commencement of the largest campaign Mary Stevens Hospice has ever undertaken, and to have it endorsed by a day hospice patient makes it more special and emotive.

Margaret Hill, from Halesowen was initially given celebrity status in June when she was 'honoured’ to accept the privilege of pressing the button that activated the lottery draw on the most significant day in the Hospice lottery calendar, the 2010 Annual Lottery 'Big Draw’ which revealed Sandra Reese, as the lucky £5,000 jackpot winner.

Speaking to the day centre patient after she had performed the enviable task, you realise that despite being extremely poorly, and dependent on continuous oxygen therapy, the jolly, upbeat lady is in fact a stark contrast to the person she herself has described before she started to attend, 'Two and a half years ago I was dying. I was sitting at home, hardly able to breathe, hardly able to move. My quality of life was gone.'

It is evident exactly how much the charity means to the 80 year old pensioner who simply radiates gratitude, 'I really can’t speak highly enough about Mary Stevens, you have to see it to believe it. The staff and volunteers are wonderful and you are treated as an individual. I can’t praise it enough. It has brought me round – I had given up on life, but having my weekly visits to look forward to, have motivated me again and I’ve regained a social life.'

Margaret’s sheer appreciation for the treatment and support she has received from the dedicated specialist team of nursing staff, which has made her illness more manageable and consequently has improved her quality of life, has been paramount to her generous decision to lend her wholehearted support to Mary Stevens Hospice, by publicly revealing her medical condition, in the hope it will generate much needed funds to enable the high standards of free palliative care it provides to continue.

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MARGARET’S BIG PUSH FOR MARY STEVENS BIG DRAW

Margaret Hill, from Halesowen became a celebrity for the day when she was given the privilege of pressing the button that activated the Mary Stevens Hospice 2010 Annual Lottery 'Big Draw'.

The 80 year old pensioner, a former foundry and forge worker at Cradley Castings, has suffered from respiratory conditions sine 1971, which have grown progressively worse until in 2007, she was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Margaret attends Mary Stevens Day Hospice a charity independent of the NHS which provides specialist palliative care. She is keen to publicise the care provided by the Hospice. She reflects on how the specialist team have helped her cope with her illness and improve her quality of life.

Mrs Hill, recalls, 'Two and a half years ago I was dying. I was sitting at home, hardly able to breathe, hardly able to move. My quality of life was gone.'

Margaret’s Case Manager suggested she might benefit from the support provided at the Day Hospice. With no former association with the Hospice, Margaret was apprehensive because like so many people, she did not know what to expect.

However, from her initial visit, the mother of four has not looked back She is impressed with the high standard of care and degree of compassion, adding, 'It was like coming into a 5 star hotel and it was such a happy atmosphere.' Attending every Wednesday Margaret says, 'The staff and volunteers are wonderful and you are treated as an individual. I can’t praise it enough. It has brought me round – I had given up on life, but having my weekly visits to look forward to, have motivated me again and I’ve regained a social life.'

Extremely poorly, and dependent on continuous oxygen therapy, the jolly, upbeat lady is in fact a stark contrast to the person she herself has described before she started to attend. Day Hospice provides care that meets individual needs. Margaret radiates gratitude for their support. A typical Wednesday for Margaret starts with the ambulance journey to the Hospice where she is supported by the specialist team, but in Margaret’s words 'I’m chauffeur driven to and from the Hospice, have a three course lunch, have my hair done and receive acupuncture, aromatherapy and a massage. I really can’t speak highly enough about Mary Stevens, you have to see it to believe.' She has stated that she would do anything to help raise funds.'

With 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, Margaret has a devoted family, but insists her reclaimed quality of life is solely due to the Hospice, and her daughter, Lynn, echoes her sentiments, 'When it was suggested Mom visit the Hospice she was dubious and had to be pressurised in to it, but it’s made so much difference to her; she’s a changed woman.'