Sisters celebrate lifelong connection to South Essex hospice on 35th anniversary
Heidi Carter and Debbie Lovering are long-standing volunteers at St Luke's Hospice in Basildon, following in the footsteps of their parents who were among the hospice's first volunteers.
As the hospice celebrates 35 years of service, the sisters also celebrate 35 years since the hospice changed their families lives forever.
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Their parents, Maxine and Tony Carter, became early supporters of the newly founded hospice and volunteered in its early fundraisers.
In 2017, Maxine was admitted to the Basildon In-Patient Unit, where she died peacefully in a place she had come to know very well.
Debbie's husband, Mark, was also cared for here, before he passed away in March 2020.
Most recently, their father Tony was cared for in the Thurrock unit, in July 2024.
Volunteering - The sister's mum, Maxine, volunteering at the hospice in the early days. (Image: St Luke's Hospice)
Debbie said: 'Our family has been part of St. Luke's Hospice since the beginning - we've grown up with it, first through our parents volunteering, and then through the incredible care the Hospice gave them at the end of their lives.
'Dad had been in hospital for several weeks before we told him he was going to St. Luke's - when we did, he smiled a big smile.
Heidi added: "When mum was admitted, it was like she instantly felt at peace - the care and compassion shown to her, and us as a family, was beyond words."
In January 2012, the family took part in an organised midnight fundraising walk at Lakeside Shopping Centre for the Hospice - a memory they "treasure to this day."
The sisters regularly collect donations at shopping centres, and most recently volunteered at the Hospice's 35th anniversary Garden Parties.
They have also held funeral collections in memory of their parents, and continue to raise funds for the hospice.
To find out more about St. Luke's Hospice, visit the charity's website www.stlukeshospice.com.
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