AS St Clare launches its Spring appeal, one man has spoken about his experience at the Hastingwood-based Hospice.

Sarah and Sean Wilkinson were a happily married young couple until Sarah’s 29th Birthday when their worst fears came true.

On December 19 2007, Sarah discovered she had terminal cancer and had just weeks left to live.

The young couple were devastated, but decided to stop Sarah’s treatment and move her into St Clare’s Hospice.

Sean said: “Even though St Clare was close to our home, I’d never taken much notice of it. “I thought it was just for old people to come and die. But it wasn’t the gloomy place I expected. I was amazed how tranquil and comfortable it was. Sarah’s room opened onto beautiful gardens with squirrels and rabbits hopping about.”

He praised staff at the Hospice, saying: “From the minute we walked in, we were made welcome. The staff bent over backwards to provide everything we needed, but they also gave Sarah the space and privacy she wanted.”

As his wife’s condition deteriorated, staff set Sean up with his own bed at the Hospice, and provided an internet link so he could stay in contact with his family.

Sarah died peacefully on January 30, 2008, with Sean by her side.

Now Sean is urging people to donate to St Clare, so they can continue their work.

He said: “The people at St Clare have been incredible. I’ll be indebted to them for the rest of my life”

St Clare Director of Fundraising Sue Upton said: “St Clare Hospice is a vital link in the care and well being of our community. Over 90 percent of adults receiving our care have a diagnosis of cancer but care is also provided for people with illnesses like motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. We aim to improve the quality of life for our patients so that each day can be lived to the full.”

She added: “It costs over £2 million to provide this care and 70 percent of this has to be raised from voluntary sources. That means our local community needs to help us raise over £4,000 every single day of the year”

To donate to St Clare’s Spring appeal visit www.stclare-hospice.co.uk/springappeal