A year ago, not many people gave John Morley a chance.
John, 91 from Felixstowe, has a condition that nearly killed him last year but, thanks to the surgical team at the hospital and the staff at St Elizabeth Hospice, this summer he was able to complete his life ambition to abseil the maternity block at Ipswich Hospital – dressed as Spiderman.
“The nurses at the hospice treat me like royalty” he said. “No matter how I’m feeling when I arrive, I always have a spring in my step by the time I leave for home. They’ve given me my life back.”
This Christmas, John is fronting the hospice’s festive appeal where they are asking people to donate to restore hope for patients like John.
Pauline Donkin, individual support manager at St Elizabeth hospice said: “The hospice operates 365 days a year and our care to our patients continues over the festive period. At this time of year, we find that our supporters are even more generous and donate to support we’re doing at this time in the local community”.
£78.56 could fund a community nurse visit home visit this Christmas or £188 could fund eight hours of care in the inpatient unit on Christmas Day.
John, who many may recognise from the balcony of Ipswich Town Hall as he turned on the town’s Christmas lights, concludes: “Thank you to everyone for supporting St Elizabeth Hospice – your donations have transformed my life. And while we’re on that subject, I’ve still got some living to do. I’m already thinking about my next challenge. Perhaps a skydive. After all, you’re only 91 once!
Donate to the hospice this year and share your inspirational life ambition.