Peggy talks about her 17 years of volunteering

For two mornings a week Peggy Tickle is one of 'the friendly faces' of the EllenorLions Hospice – part of the team of volunteers who staff the reception desk at Northfleet.

She first got involved in 1992, after Gravesend Lions Club – of which her late husband Ian was a member – together with other local Lions Clubs had fundraised to build a hospice.  And she was already working as a volunteer before there were patients or beds – when meetings were held in empty wards surrounded by fundraising posters and placards.

Over the past 17 years she has worked in almost every department, concentrating more recently on Reception. Peggy is also still actively involved in fundraising.  Ian was also a volunteer and for many years they collected food donated by local Marks and Spencer stores for use at the hospice  - a job which Peggy still does to this day.

What has she enjoyed most about her work?

 "The people" she said, "the patients and their families – the tremendous courage and cheerfulness – and of course the nursing staff, who despite their obvious closeness to each patient can still maintain their professionalism."

Peggy has a host of memories like the times former Medical Director Dr Peter Hargreaves dressed up for parties in the hospice, one year as a 70's pop star complete with silver suit and motor bike! His young son watched with jaw-dropping amazement as his father sang and gyrated to the songs.

She has seen many changes over the 17 years – and says that the hospice is, of course, much busier and has somehow 'matured', especially since the merger.

"I am sure the work will continue" she says "hopefully with more government finance. Without the hospice movement many of the patients would be in hospital, yet hospices get just a fraction of what that would cost the NHS.

Until that happens we can only keep fund-raising and pray that people will keep responding."

Jake is 11 years old and has Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Mum Sally shares their story.

It all started two years ago in December 2007 when Jake was 9 years of age. I was at the end of my tether, exhausted and desperate for help.  That's when I was introduced to the EllenorLions Children & Young People's Service, our 'Guardian Angels'.

Jake was diagnosed at the age of four years. We thought he was a normal healthy boy, he fell over a lot but then again he was always running around. The health visitor was concerned though and sent us to Darent Valley Hospital for a check up. I didn't think much of it until a month later we received a phone call at home asking us to go in and see them, but adding that we should bring someone with us. I knew then it was serious and expected the worse. When they told me what he had I had to know "is he dying" I asked. The reply was every parent's nightmare but they explained he had years yet, not just months, my poor little boy.

I was so shocked, I needed to know more and so researched everything I could on the condition and what I could do to help my son.  I had to keep strong for Jake, if I was down and depressed it really wouldn't do him any favours and so I had to stay focused on making what life he had full and rewarding.

Right from the early stages we were very open with each other. My mum had died unexpectedly and suddenly at hospital. As a final gesture of love we brought mum home to be with us until her funeral. During this time the children would sit and talk to her or read to her. They saw how she passed away peacefully and so understood that dying was not frightening.  Jake knows that Nanny will be in heaven to help him keep his room tidy until I can join them both.

In my attempt to offer Jake the best I was desperate to get him a place at the Valence School.  Although he did well in infant school as the condition developed and his health deteriorated the junior school couldn't offer the support he needed. I had to take the tough decision to take him out of school and home tutor him whilst I tried to secure a place at the Valence School.  This whole situation was so desperate, I knew having Jake at home wasn't the best thing for him but neither was the junior school and as much as I tried I couldn't secure a place at the school of our choice where I knew he would have all his needs catered for.  It was at this time that Debbie from the EllenorLions Hospices came. I remember it well, it was just before Christmas and I remember thinking "we are going to be ok now, we have our Guardian Angels watching over us" it made our Christmas.

They helped Jake get into the school, he is now thriving! He is doing sport, wheelchair football, swimming and has made new friends that he can talk freely to about his condition.

As I said Jake knows he is dying, we speak about it and have even planned the funeral. Dealing with it has meant we can now focus on the living, the here and now. Jake is a strong character and we focus on the positives after all life is for living. As parents we really can't take our children for granted, we need to make the most of every moment and that is exactly what I intend to do with Jake, his older brother and young sister. I am proud and privileged to be their mother.

I know things are going to get harder, his heart will get weaker, his breathing more difficult, but together we can cope, we have each other.

EllenorLions Children & Young People's Service for me have been my saviours and guardian angels.  They have been there to give Jake a good time, to focus on the now and make happy memories.  They have supported us as a whole family, the children go to a siblings club and they have been able to open doors to other things we never knew existed.  They even help with practical issues like transport and advice.  They have supported me with counselling and the children know that it is there if they want it. As a family the EllenorLions Hospices are the best thing we have ever come across, to know that they are there 24 hours a day, whatever I need, however small.  The peace of mind knowing that there is a person at the end of the phone is a real blessing.  I know that with them there we will always be safe, they do an amazing job. I don't know how they manage, they must have a lot to cope with but they are always so positive and always want to do the best to support the whole family through happy and sad times.  They reassure and boost my confidence, I am glad to say that we are an EllenorLions family, I can't praise them enough.

We would like to say thank you for caring and wish EllenorLions Children & Young People's Service a happy 15th birthday.