Many families chose to fundraise for us, some become volunteers and others help raise awareness of our caring work so we can reach more people, earlier on in their journey, who could benefit from the specialist care and support we are able to offer.

One family helping to give voice and visibility to the work we do are the Van Hages, owners of the Van Hage Garden Centre in Great Amwell. We were privileged to care for family matriarch Thea Van Hage before her death 15 years ago as well as her son-in-law Steve Foulds more recently in 2019.

During her later years, Thea had already been a proactive supporter and fundraiser for Isabel Hospice, with the family recently choosing us as their official charity partner in order to continue raising vital funds for us in her name.

Thea’s eldest daughter Mary An said: “I think what we’ve all come to realise is that Hospice care is not something to avoid; it’s something to embrace to help you get through the most difficult of times.”

Thea, a grandmother of 12, spent a week being cared for at our In-Patient Unit before passing away aged 77 just a few days before Christmas 2005. Her stay with us gave her children some respite from tending to their mother knowing she was safe in the hands of our dedicated nursing team.

“It’s very frightening looking after someone who is normally so vibrant and full of life,” Mary An said. “Mum was usually the one looking after all of us, so to have the roles reversed felt like a huge responsibility. You really do feel like their life is in your hands.

“When she came into the Hospice the six of us breathed a collective sigh of relief because it gave us a break from doing the hands-on care while knowing she was settled and safe. We all got to visit her whenever we wanted without any of the worry.

“It was coming up to Christmas and I remember sitting quietly with her, holding her hand and looking out at all the lights twinkling in the Hospice garden. It was so peaceful.”

Thea’s wish was to die at home and when she was discharged from our care our Hospice doctors were able to arrange an open prescription so the family could still get all the medication she needed to keep her comfortable over the Christmas period.

“It’s down to the Hospice that Mum could die at home in her own bed with all of us around her,” Mary An said. “If the doctors hadn’t arranged the prescription she would have been in hospital, which is not what she wanted.”

Two years ago, the family again turned to the Hospice when Thea’s son-in-law Steve was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Coming into our In-Patient Unit allowed Steve precious time with wife Jacqui and their daughter Cora, then aged nine. After the 53-year-old’s death, we continued to support the family through bereavement counselling and our Children and Young People’s Service.

Mary An said: “Everyone was so caring and particularly wonderful with Cora. Jacqui had been caring for Steve at home and he was in such a lot of pain, especially at night. She felt she couldn’t do anything to help him. It was very frightening too for Cora, especially with her being so young.

“Jacqui has said many times that Isabel literally saved them. They were given a big family room at the Hospice so Cora could stay the night and bring in all her dollies and teddies. It allowed them to stay together as a family right until the very end.”

Through the new charity partnership, the Van Hages hope to raise both funds and awareness so that those who need our care can continue to rely on it.

“Mum was such an advocate for the Hospice and passionately believed in the impact that Hospice care can have, and which we as a family have now been incredibly lucky to have experienced twice,” Mary An said.

“It has touched all our lives in a very positive way and we felt we wanted to do this in her honour, as well as remembering her and Steve. You never forget the people who help you in times of difficulty. Isabel was the chink of light when everything seemed so dark.”