LOROS Hospice

We’re incredibly proud that the LOROS CHANCE Club is a finalist in the BBC Leicester Make a Difference Awards – and stories like Abi’s show just how much that the support of the CHANCE Club can mean to families.

After experiencing the loss of her grandma, brother and mother-in-law, Abi’s sons Jacob, 13, and Jonah, 7, found a safe and understanding space at CHANCE Club.

Abi said: "One of the things that makes the CHANCE Club so special is that the children understand each other. They have experienced similar losses, so they know what it feels like in a way that others sometimes can't. The friendships, support and understanding that Jacob and Jonah have found there have helped them enormously.

Every time the boys go to the CHANCE Club they come home smiling. They love all the activities, games and everything the team organises for them. Seeing them laugh, build friendships and simply enjoy being children means more to me than words can ever express. Knowing they have somewhere they feel safe, supported and understood has made such a difference—not only to them, but to me as their mum. "

This International Dog Day, we’re celebrating the four-legged visitors who bring a little bit of home into our Hospice. 🐾💛

When someone is seriously ill, the comfort of seeing a much-loved pet can mean more than words can say. That’s why well-behaved dogs are welcome to visit their loved ones at LOROS – bringing companionship, reassurance and some very special moments for patients and their families.

For Charlotte, having her dog Winnie by her side when visiting her dad made a difficult time that little bit easier.

“I lost my Dad on June 3rd this year and he had a stay in LOROS. I brought my dog Winnie to see him everyday and it was so lovely to see how happy it made him and how much the nurses loved Winnie too. It also gave me the confidence to come in knowing Winnie was by my side."

Today, we’re celebrating and all of the wonderful dogs who offer comfort and familiar faces when they’re needed most. 💛

Remember Rose from the Stomp Round Leicester trail? 💚🌹

You may remember seeing her at the Rally Park during the trail last summer. She now sits nestled amongst the trees in Jimi's garden.

For Jimi, she's much more than a sculpture. She's a special reminder of his mum and dad.

During the trail, Jimi would cycle past her every day on his way to the gym. When the sculptures went to auction to raise funds for LOROS, he and his wife, Suman, decided they had to try to bring her home.

“I cried when the auctioneer said it was us that had won Rose, as it felt like I had got part of my parents back. Their favourite flower was a rose, and she now sits nestled at the bottom of our garden amongst the trees and brings a smile to my face every time I see her.”

Jimi lost both his parents, Sarah and Chris, within a year of each other. His mum received palliative care at home, while his dad had hoped to be cared for in a hospice but was unable to get a bed at LOROS.

That experience inspired Jimi to raise awareness of the importance of hospice care and raise vital funds to help make sure it can be there for more families in the future.

We recently shared Jimi's story and how earlier this year, he cycled an incredible 3,003 miles around the UK and the east coast of Ireland in their memory, raising more than £8,000 for LOROS so far. Rose was proudly waiting for him when he came home!

This is a beautiful lasting reminder of two much-loved parents, and of the difference supporting hospice care can make for other families. 💛

Elle, 39 originally from Mountsorrel, is running her first half marathon this October at the Run Leicester Festival in memory of her mum, Gillian, who was cared for at LOROS in March 2019. Gillian was 57 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer, only a few weeks before she died. Here is her .

"Mum was cared for at LOROS for a week. We were transferred from hospital and LOROS was like a whole different world in terms of the care that Mum and our family received. She was treated with such dignity and care.

I had always been aware of LOROS growing up locally, especially because mum loved to visit the LOROS shops looking for a bargain, but until we needed it, I hadn't realised what a wonderful place the hospice was. The staff are angels; they made us feel so at home and cared for throughout it all. They made it so that we could be together as a family during a really difficult time.

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.

It's difficult to sum up Mum in a few words, and most of the best memories are small things from everyday life rather than big things - hearing her pottering about in the kitchen listening to the Archers on the radio, her amazing chutney, stopping to pick up logs for the fire. It was incredible to see the joy she got out of becoming a Granny, even though it was far too short. Mum was brilliant.

I completed the Run Leicester "Run Around the World" virtual running event in 2020 as a way of rebuilding fitness after having my second daughter and to raise money for LOROS. Since then, I have continued to run regularly with work colleagues and have been eyeing up a half marathon for a while with the aim of completing one before I turn 40 next year. Being able to do this in my hometown and raise money for LOROS felt like a no brainer!

My target is to raise at least £500 for LOROS. I'd love to smash this target. Every £1 for LOROS is much needed.

I'm excited to feel the atmosphere on the day but a little nervous as it'll be the first time I've attempted to run a half marathon. 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.

Running gives me the space and time to reflect and think on things, and I often find myself thinking about what Mum would have to say about things that are currently going on in my life or things she would enjoy about her grandchildren.

Crossing the finish line will be a combination of personal achievement in completing the challenge of a half marathon and the satisfaction of knowing doing this will raise money for LOROS so that they can continue to provide support and care to numerous other families when it is needed.

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. "

Join Elle and run for LOROS on 11th October in the Run Leicester Festival. Sign up today at loros.co.uk/runleicester

Happy 💛

Animals can sometimes reach people when no one else can.

Their presence can bring comfort and spark recognition. Stephen had not been responding to anyone all day. Then a mini-Shetland pony came onto the ward.

He opened his eyes, reached out and engaged.

It was a small but an incredibly powerful moment. This is a beautiful reminder of the impact animals can have on our patients - and how much we need hospices like LOROS.

Yesterday Lauren from our Family Support team helped create a very special day for Rachel and her daughter, Lizzy, here at LOROS. 💛

As Rachel was too poorly to leave the Hospice for a pamper day they had planned, Lauren and the team brought the special day to them instead.

They arranged an afternoon tea in our summer house, a massage from our Complementary Therapist, Angela, and Little Diva Spa came to the Hospice so Rachel and her daughter could have their nails painted together. And there was one more surprise waiting for them! A visit from Peaches, a miniature shetland pony, from My Little Pony Parties.

This was a chance for Rachel and her daughter to spend precious time together and make special memories during an incredibly difficult time.

Rachel said: "I am absolutely blown away. I had no idea that any of this had been arranged.

A couple of weeks ago I had a pamper day planned but unfortunately, I became too poorly to go. I've slowly been declining and yesterday I became quite unwell. Everyone has been so great and amazing planning this for me and my daughter.

It's such a beautiful thing to do for anyone. Even more so when you know the situation you are in is drawing closer. To actually have some time with my daughter on her own in such a difficult situation is special. We've had such fantastic support. You come in here and you don't know anyone but within hours it's like you know everyone.

It's so lovely to get to know people. Everyone at LOROS is so important and I appreciate everyone. I imagine that every other patient and family feels the same way. I feel blessed to be here.

Having worked in the NHS, I actually feel sad that I'm not going to be around long enough to be able to work at a place like LOROS.

A few nights ago I was really poorly and terrified of going to sleep. Not once did I feel a burden. Each and every one of the nurses were here for me. You cannot fault the care. LOROS really touches my heart."

Thank you to everyone who helped make this beautiful afternoon possible, and especially to Lauren for helping create moments that Rachel and her daughter could share together. 💛

As Juliette gets ready to take on her first LOROS Bike Ride in memory with her friend Frankie, she's encouraging others to get involved too. 🚴

"To anyone thinking about taking part I’d say just go for it, it’s the most amazing feeling. When you start to struggle you just think what a difference your fundraising will make to people receiving care and support. Get your training in and just look forward to it.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do this ride in memory of Linda and to raise funds for LOROS. I know it will be a challenge, however I am determined to succeed!"

Entry is FREE – all we ask is that you pledge to raise £100 per person for LOROS Hospice. This is a completely not-for-profit event, where every penny raised goes towards caring for our patients and supporting their families.

Gather your friends, set yourself a goal and make every pedal count. Sign up today at loros.co.uk/bikeride