LOROS Hospice

Happy 💛

This week, we’re sharing some lovely words about the feeling of arriving at LOROS and being welcomed by our team.

We know that coming to a hospice for the first time can feel daunting. That’s why creating a warm, welcoming and safe environment for patients and their families is such an important part of the care we provide.

From a friendly smile to simply knowing you’re somewhere you’ll be looked after, we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel supported and at ease. 💛

To celebrate their group’s 40th birthday, an incredible team of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and leaders came together to take on a special fundraising challenge in support of LOROS Hospice raising over £1300.

The group chose to support LOROS because of a personal connection to the hospice and the care it provides to local families.

Ceri, Scout Leader, said: “We chose to support LOROS as one of our leaders has had involvement the charity, due to a relative making use of their services. We have supported the hospice before for the same reason with the proceeds from a cake stall.

I'm just incredibly proud of all of the young people (and leaders) who took part. All of the leaders have said that there were no complaints from the young people, from the Beavers to the Scouts, about feeling tired or wanting to give up – they were all determined to do their bit to complete the challenge.

One young Scout on the team I was walking with was suffering with aching legs on the Sunday morning, and I feared he wouldn't be able to complete the day's hike. But, halfway through the day, when I mentioned the possibility of being collected by car if he really was in pain, he was all the more determined to finish on foot.

I think we're just very proud to have used the group's 40th birthday to give to such an incredibly important charity, and to demonstrate to the community and beyond how much our young people are capable of.”

What an inspiring way to celebrate 40 years of scouting! A huge thank you to every young person, leader and supporter who helped make this challenge possible. 👏

“It felt like a gift—we could spend those precious last days together as a family.” 💛

For Ashley and his family, having his mum Tracey cared for at LOROS meant they could simply be together when it mattered most.

A gift in your Will could help give another family that same precious time together.

When Tracey’s cancer returned and she moved to palliative care, LOROS nurses began visiting her at home every week.

Ashley said: “The LOROS nurses visited mum every Thursday, their presence bringing us all much needed comfort and support.

Mum held on, determined to get a bed at LOROS. When we received the call to say a bed was available, it felt like a gift—we could spend those precious last days together as a family. The care Mum received there was incredible. From the moment we stepped into the hospice, we felt a sense of relief, as though a weight had been lifted, allowing us to truly be with her and make the most of our final time together.

Even after our mum passed away, the support didn’t stop. LOROS has continued to support us as a family through their bereavement hubs.”

By giving a gift to LOROS in your Will, you can help make sure care, comfort and precious moments like these are there for local families in the future.

Find out more about how you can give a gift in your Will at loros.co.uk/giveagift

When Freddy and Harriet's Pops, Dave, died they wanted to do something to help the people who had cared for him at LOROS.

After asking their mum, “How can we get some money for the people that helped Pops?”, they decided to organise their very own Reindeer Run!

With the support of their friends, family and school community, they brought everyone together for a festive day of fundraising, complete with games, cakes and lots of reindeer fun!

Freddy said, “I liked Daddy dressing up in a funny reindeer costume”, while Harriet said: "I loved running with all my friends and seeing the money go up”.

The day was about much more than festive fun for the pair. Harriet said: “I am proud that we got lots of money to help LOROS because they helped my Pops, I want to do it again so we can keep doing things for LOROS”.

Their mum, Emma, said: “Knowing that Freddy and Harriet are supporting LOROS in memory of their Pops means so much to me. I think it says everything that a 4 and 6 year old noticed how well cared for Dad was at LOROS and how comfortable they felt visiting him there.

Dad always loved challenging himself and pushing himself to do things, so seeing the children take on the Reindeer Run feels like they are keeping that part of him alive and carrying it with them. I know Dad would have been so proud of them.”

You could organise your very own LOROS Reindeer Run too! Whether you're a school, family, community group, workplace or group of friends, choose your own date, distance and location, get your antlers on and help make a difference for families like Freddy and Harriet's.

Sign up before 16th October at loros.co.uk/reindeer 🎄🦌

For the past five years, Amy Brown has been helping patients and families navigate some of life's most challenging moments. Having spent much of that time supporting people in our LOROS Day Hospice before moving into her current role as a Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, Amy has seen first-hand the difference hospice care can make. Now, she's stepping outside her comfort zone as she prepares to take on the Snowdon at Night Trek next weekend alongside her partner, raising vital funds for LOROS. Here’s her .

“Before joining LOROS, I worked in the community as part of an Intensive Community Support team, helping people remain at home and avoid hospital admissions. Before that, I worked at University Hospitals of Leicester in A&E and gastroenterology. Although palliative care wasn't my speciality at the time, I had experienced caring for people with life-limiting illnesses and felt I wanted more time to spend with patients and families.

My connection with LOROS started long before I worked here. My auntie died in 2013 and I saw first-hand the care and support LOROS provided. It stayed with me. When the opportunity came to join the hospice in 2020 during lockdown, it felt like the right step for me.

For five years, I worked in Day Hospice, supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses. Day Hospice is about so much more than people might expect. It's a chance for patients to have a change of scenery, enjoy new experiences and spend time with others who truly understand what they're going through. We provide holistic support, helping people smile again and offering a welcome distraction from the challenges they're facing. It's a place where friendships are formed, confidence grows and people are reminded that they're more than their diagnosis.
One patient who had a huge impact on me was Graham.

I met Graham on his first day in Day Hospice and was his nurse. He used to tell me all about his love of running and one day he asked me if I'd take part in a 10K with him because he wanted to give something back to LOROS.

The only problem was that I'd never run before, but it was one of the best things I've ever done. Not only did I achieve a 10K, but I helped give Graham the opportunity to run again and reconnect with something he loved by pushing him in his wheelchair. It was a really special experience for both of us.

When Graham died, I completed the event again the following year in his memory. It felt like a way of honouring him and everything we'd achieved together.
That experience taught me the incredible power of fundraising challenges and the difference they can make, which is one of the reasons I'm excited to be taking on Snowdon at Night. I've also completed events such as the Wolf Run for LOROS, with my son helping to support my fundraising along the way.

Today, I work as a Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, supporting people with complex symptoms in their own homes.

When people are referred to us, we carry out a full holistic assessment and aim to see them within seven working days. We help with symptom management, practical and financial support, and connect people with the services they need. We work closely with consultants, GPs, district nurses and many other professionals to make sure patients receive the best possible care.

When many people hear the words "palliative care", they immediately think it’s the end. In reality, palliative care can be a long journey of managing symptoms and helping people maintain the best quality of life possible. It's definitely a misunderstood term.

The same is true of LOROS. People are often surprised to learn about the range of services we offer. It's not just about end-of-life care. We provide support through Day Hospice, counselling, lymphoedema services, inpatient care and community services. We're here to help people live as well as possible for as long as possible.
The most rewarding part of my role is getting to know patients and their families as people. You learn about their lives, what's important to them and what they want to achieve. You have the time to listen and be their advocate when they're at their most vulnerable. It's incredibly rewarding when you help manage someone's symptoms and suddenly they're able to spend time with family again, go out for the day or take part in activities they thought they might never do again. We're helping people to live.

People often assume palliative care is all sadness and loss, but that isn't the reality. There are difficult days, of course, but there are also lots of moments of happiness, laughter and normality. When symptoms are well managed and the right support is in place, people can enjoy precious time with the people they love. It's definitely not all doom and gloom.

One of the things I've come to appreciate most is how important home can be for the people we support. For some patients, being surrounded by family, pets, treasured possessions and familiar comforts makes all the difference. Others may prefer the support of the hospice. It's about respecting people's wishes and helping them be where they feel most comfortable. We always try to create that same sense of comfort and belonging, wherever care is being delivered.

It's also important to recognise that no one delivers this care alone. Our community team is part of a wider integrated network of professionals and services. We work closely with GPs, district nurses, hospital teams and many others because supporting patients and families is a team effort. We all need each other to provide the best possible care.

This October I'm taking on the Snowdon at Night Trek with my partner. We'd talked about climbing Snowdon together for a long time and, when we saw this challenge, it felt perfect. It's something we can achieve together and a great way to support LOROS.”

Run Leicester is just a few weeks away – and 289 incredible runners are running for LOROS! 💛

Among them is Elle, 39, who will be taking on her very first half marathon in memory of her mum, Gillian, who was cared for at LOROS in March 2019.

Elle has been eyeing up a half marathon for a while, with the goal of completing one before turning 40 next year. Taking on the challenge in her hometown while raising money for LOROS made the decision an easy one.

Elle said: “Our time at LOROS was so short and intense but I have an overwhelming memory of feeling safe and at peace and being listened to. It sounds small but it was everything we needed.

Being able to do this in my hometown and raise money for LOROS felt like a no brainer! I often find myself thinking about Mum whilst running, so I expect it will also feel quite emotional going over the finish line at Victoria Park. I want other families to be able to receive the care we did at LOROS for a long time to come, so knowing I can help in any way I can is great.”

With just over a week to go, we’re so excited to cheer on Elle and every one of our runners taking on Run Leicester for LOROS. 💛

Happy 💛

This week, we're sharing some heartfelt words from a family whose loved ones were cared for by LOROS.

When someone is living with a serious illness, the impact is felt by the whole family. At LOROS, we're here to offer care, comfort and support not just to patients, but to the people closest to them too.

Being there for families during some of life's most difficult moments is at the heart of what we do. 💛

Fundraising doesn't always have to involve running shoes or baking cakes! 🪡💛

Thanks to the creativity of 50 talented sewists, a special sewathon at Leicestershire Craft Centre raised an incredible £1,065 and produced 125 handmade property bags and syringe driver bags for LOROS patients and families.

Over 12 hours, volunteers came together to put their skills to good use, creating something both practical and meaningful for the people we care for.

Dr Cassy Rowe Haynes, who came up with the idea, said: "I can't bake cakes to raise money, but I can sew! I thought, why not harness this form of creativity for LOROS by making something useful as well as having fun, and hence the idea of a sewathon was born.

The act of collaborating to create something useful like the syringe driver bags and property bags really resonated with all who gave their time. I feel really proud the day was such a huge success.

Initially I dreamt of a 24-hour sewathon, but we compromised at 12. With so much support, you never know what next year might bring!"

Katharine from Leicestershire Craft Centre, who helped organise and host the event, added: "It was a fantastic atmosphere. Everyone was so generous with their time, donations and efforts in making the bags. Whether they made one or ten during their session, they were made with love and care.

When I was setting up the event, I discovered so many people have had friends or family members at LOROS. It is a very special place to them.

I am already being asked what I am doing next year, and one person has told me they enjoyed it so much they're coming for the whole day next time!"

A huge thank you to everyone who sewed, donated, volunteered and supported the event. Every bag was made with care, and every pound raised will help LOROS continue providing vital care and support to patients and their families. 💛

A few weeks ago, we shared the story of Joe Norton, 29, who was preparing to take on an ultramarathon in memory of his dad, Richard, and to raise money for LOROS.

We're delighted to share that Joe has now completed his incredible challenge, running an amazing 52.02km from Leicestershire County Cricket Club to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in 6 hours, 1 minute and 44 seconds!

And he's raised more than £2,600 for LOROS along the way! 💛

Joe set off from Leicestershire County Cricket Club on Sunday 13th September, joined by five fellow runners and cheered on by friends and family.

His route took him past the King Power Stadium and Abbey Park, through villages across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, before heading into Nottingham city centre and on towards Trent Bridge.

The route held a particularly special meaning for Joe, who shared a love of sport with his dad, Richard. They enjoyed many trips to Grace Road to watch Leicestershire play cricket and to Trent Bridge to watch England.

Richard died at LOROS on 18th September 2025, aged 68, following a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Joe took on the challenge just days before the first anniversary of his dad's death, as a way of honouring his memory and giving back to the hospice that cared for him and supported his family.

Joe said: “I still can’t quite believe what I achieved. The distance I ran alongside the meaning behind the route makes it a day I will cherish for the rest of my life.

While there were times during the final 10k I was in a considerable amount of discomfort, I knew it was nothing compared to the physical and emotional pain my dad suffered following his terminal cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment.

I’m still so overwhelmed by all of the messages of support, encouragement and donations I’ve received from the run and I’m delighted to have raised more than £2,600 for LOROS. That amount will make a real difference to a hospice that does such great things for our local community.

For everyone out there who is either going through a hard time or simply unsure about achieving a goal that feels too ambitious, my message is clear, you CAN do it!”

Thank you so much Joe👏💛

Ensuring our patients can spend precious time with their loved ones is so important at LOROS. 💛

Caz, aged 52, is currently being cared for on our inpatient ward, following a breast cancer diagnosis which has since spread to her brain.

After a few days on our inpatient ward, Caz and her family wanted to celebrate Christmas early and create special memories together. And, of course, our wonderful nurses were determined to make it happen!

After hearing about the family's wishes on Friday, our nurses arrived with Christmas decorations by Saturday evening, transforming Caz's room into a festive space. They arranged a Christmas dinner, crackers and gifts for Caz, ensuring the whole family could enjoy a proper Christmas celebration together. Joined by her partner Jon, her mum and her brother, Caz was able to celebrate Christmas surrounded by the people she loves, just like they always used to.

Jon said: "It was amazing. We thought we'd have to bring decorations in ourselves but they sorted everything, we couldn't have asked for more. They gave us all a Christmas dinner too.

We'd always heard good things about LOROS and it's been a relief that Caz is being cared for so well here. It has taken the stress away from our family and doing things like an early Christmas wouldn't be possible without LOROS."

And Caz's verdict on her stay? "It's the best hotel I've stayed at!"

This is what hospice care is all about. It's not just about managing symptoms and providing expert medical care. It's about seeing the person beyond their illness, supporting their loved ones and helping families make precious memories together.

Thanks to the dedication of our incredible staff and the generosity of our supporters, we're able to make special moments like Caz's Christmas possible. And with the festive season approaching, there will be plenty more opportunities to bring joy and create precious memories for our patients and their families.

Christmas has come a little early at LOROS, but the celebrations are only just beginning! Keep an eye on our page over the coming weeks as we share more festive updates. 💛🎄