Why I'm a Giving Day Champion - Susan's story

“We simply couldn’t have managed without the hospice.”

Susan Lovatt tells us why she’s a Giving Day Champion.

Susan Lovatt is a St Oswald’s Hospice Supporter who decided to sign up to be a Champion after seeing the campaign advertised on social media. Susan’s husband, Tom, died in 2017 and the hospice supported the couple throughout Tom’s stay on our Adult Impatient Unit.

Susan said:

“When I saw the Giving Day advertised, I signed up straight away because I have experienced the care at the hospice first-hand. When Tom was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, he was so frightened. The disease floored him, and although I tried to care for him at home for as long as possible, in the end we were both struggling to cope. That’s when St Oswald Hospice stepped in. I don’t think I would have survived without them. The care Tom received was outstanding and everyone there was amazing, especially nurses Donna and Vicky and Dave the Chef. Nothing was a bother for anyone. We simply couldn’t have managed without the hospice.”

Susan has supported the hospice in many different ways over the years. As well as having a Tribute Fund set up in Tom’s memory and celebrating his life by donating to our Light up a Life campaign at Christmas, she plays our lottery and has volunteered at hospice events. She was even due to trek to Peru with our team last Autumn, but sadly had to pull out due to ill health. Susan was one of the first people to sign up to become a Giving Day Champion and was attracted to the simplicity of the ask.

She added:

“Although I have supported St Oswald’s in lots of different ways, the Giving Day just sounded so easy that I couldn’t not! I have set up my page and once I receive my link in March, I plan to share with my friends and family on Facebook and by email. They know how brilliant the hospice was during Tom’s time there so I hope together we will raise some funds to say thank you for all they did as well as protect the hospice for other families who might need to use it one day.”

If you’re feeling inspired by Susan and would like to become a Giving Day Champion for St Oswald’s Hospice, you can find out more about Giving Day here or sign up to become a Champion here.