St Christopher's Hospice

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St Christopher's Hospice

We are a registered charity. All our patient services are free. We rely on donations to continue care
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07/09/2026

Our Autumn 2026 magazine is here! Inside this issue, you'll find:
🔎 Astrid's story of running the London Marathon in tribute to her husband Theo, and how our Candle child bereavement service supported her family
🔎 Eli's journey of getting back in the saddle, showing how hospice care focuses on what matters to you
🔎 Shannan's reflections on volunteering at our Remembering with Ribbons event in memory of her mum, Karen

Plus updates from our incredible fundraisers, ways to get involved, and dates for your diary.

Read the full magazine here:
www.stchristophers.org.uk/updates/magazine/?utm_campaign=social26&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=magazine

06/09/2026

"The weight of the dog on your bed is something quite special." - Sandra, speaking of how her therapy dog supports people on our wards

At 77, Sandra has been volunteering at St Christopher's for over a decade, first with her labrador Max, and now with her spaniel Wilson. Once a week, the pair visit patients across our three wards, bringing comfort, conversation, and a welcome distraction to people receiving care on our wards, as well as our staff.

No two visits are ever the same. Some days it's a quick hello, other days Wilson might spend half an hour on a patient's bed.

The visits are important for families too. Wilson helps break the ice, encourages conversation, and brings a sense of normality into difficult situations, even if just for a few minutes.

Sandra reads every room with care, knowing when to stay and when to step away.

Thank you, Sandra and Wilson, for everything you give to the people in our care and their families.

https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/sandra-and-wilson-bringing-comfort-when-it-matters-most/?utm_campaign=social26&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=

05/09/2026

We are very proud to celebrate Dr Halima Ali, a nurse leader from Sudan, who has been awarded the 2026 Human Rights and Nursing Award, presented in association with the journal Nursing Ethics.

Dr Halima served as Palliative Care Coordinator at Sudan's National Cancer Institute from 2016 to 2023, and became Director of Hospice Port Sudan in 2024. She was nominated by colleagues who highlighted her leadership and dedication to improving access to compassionate, equitable care.

She has a long-standing relationship with St Christopher's, and is an active member of the Global Palliative Nursing Network.

Dr Halima said "Nursing has always been more than a profession to me. It is a commitment to standing alongside people at their most vulnerable and ensuring that every person is treated with dignity, respect, and humanity."

Congratulations Dr Halima!

03/09/2026

Summer may be coming to an end, but there are still 2 Open Gardens to enjoy this weekend! 🌻🌿

Come along, explore some beautiful gardens, and support St Christopher's Hospice.

Sunday 6 September, from 2pm

🌼 Bourne Vale Allotments (BR2 7NY):
https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/event/open-garden-at-bourne-vale-allotments/?utm_campaign=social26&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=

🌼 110 Burnt Ash Hill (The Garden Flat, SE12 0HT):
https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/event/open-garden-at-110-burnt-ash-hill-the-flat-garden?utm_campaign=social26&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=

29/08/2026

"Sometimes it can look like sitting still on a chair, not really moving, but sometimes people tend to dance to music, move along with music. Sometimes it’s about watching the small changes within them. It can be a little smile. It can be suddenly joining in through tapping on their feet or clapping their hands.

"It's not only about the music, it's also about the therapy side of it. It's about meeting a person through music, and about finding their identity, having the space to make themselves be heard and be seen." - Lai Yiu

Our music therapist Lai Yiu shares what her work is about, and why it goes far beyond what the job title suggests.

28/08/2026

There's just one week left to get your Grand Summer Raffle tickets! Enter before Friday 4 September for the chance to win £1,500. Every ticket helps St Christopher’s provide care and support to people and families in our community when they need it most.

Raffle tickets are available online or just pop into any of our shops to purchase in-store.

Buy your raffle tickets now! https://bit.ly/4xZIfFm

26/08/2026

Happy National Dog Day 🐾

At St Christopher's, our two Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs bring comfort, connection, and moments of joy to people staying on our wards, their families, and our staff.

“Pets As Therapy dogs play a valuable role in enhancing wellbeing, providing comfort and emotional support to people facing the challenges of end-of-life care.” – Emily Alcock (ward manager)

Each week, the dogs spend time across our three wards, creating opportunities for communication and happiness that can make a lasting difference for patients and their loved ones.

We're really grateful to the dogs and to their owners for giving their time each week.

We welcome new volunteers throughout the year, and offer a wide range of roles to suit different interests, skills, and availability. Find out more about volunteering with us: https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/volunteering-opportunities

24/08/2026

“Jennifer was cared for by St Christopher’s as an inpatient during the last stages of her illness. The care and support that she, her family and friends received was just phenomenal.

“Jennifer’s needs and wishes were paramount to every member of staff and she was always treated with the utmost respect and dignity. I really don’t know how we would have coped without them.” – Debbie (Jen’s mum)

We looked after Jen at the hospice before she died in 2013, aged 27. Since then, Debbie and her colleagues at COOK have raised more than £30,000 through Fun Walk and their annual in-store fundraising events.

In fact they’re preparing a fundraiser over the August bank holiday, with cakes, raffles, tombola, silent auctions, and a lot more in their Petts Wood store.

Thank you to everyone at COOK for your support of our work!

18/08/2026

"There is so much psychological pain that often makes the other pain much worse." - Basia

Basia, one of our psychotherapists, works with people receiving care at St Christopher's to help them find peace as they approach the end of their life. It's a vital part of the care we offer, alongside pain and symptom management.

17/08/2026

🎟️Will YOU be a winner?🎟️

There's still time to grab your ticket for our Grand Summer Raffle! Every ticket sold helps support vital hospice care in our community, and you could be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes.

Don't miss out, buy your ticket before Friday 4 September 👉https://bit.ly/3Un6gGV

Address

51-59 Lawrie Park Road
London
SE266DZ

Website

http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/

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