"HOSPISCARE is absolutely marvellous!"

Major Ralph James who fought at Dunkirk and D-Day during the Second World War was describing the Hospiscare nurse helping him live with a terminal illness.

Major Ralph (95), who lives in Crediton, said: "The cancer diagnosis last January was rather a shock.

"When the doctor referred me to the Hospiscare nurses I thought he was sending me to God's waiting room and I was on my way out, but it was a Godsend.

"Hilary the Hospiscare nurse is absolutely marvellous; she'll fix any problems."

He had problems getting a prescription until Hilary arrived.

Hilary Squire, is the Hospiscare East Devon community nursing team leader.

Major Ralph continued: "She got hold of the doctor, got the prescription and brought it to me.

"It's been like that ever since, the nurses solve any problems straight away.

"It's an enormous help and they are a wonderful support to my wife, Audrey. It's a superb service and it's a tremendous relief to know that they are there."

The retired chartered librarian keeps a detailed record of his drugs on a clipboard to help the nurses maintain good pain relief.

"We discuss adjusting the pain relief and what we can do to make things easier. I consider it a partnership," he said.

The Major is a decisive man, who after being widowed, caught up with a former colleague and within a week he was engaged to Audrey and six months later they were married.

Audrey (87), said: "I always feel better after the Hospiscare nurses have visited.

"Hilary is always so cheerful and positive and we always have a good laugh and she is very, very helpful."

Major Ralph added: "When they come here it's like a ray of sunshine, the whole place lights up."

HOSPISCARE WEEK

Hospiscare, our local hospice charity, will be joining more than 100 other hospices across the UK next week to raise awareness of their work.

Hospiscare Week, which will run from October 6 to 12, will be celebrating the work carried out by its teams of specialist nurses visiting patients in their own homes, in hospitals and giving 24-hour support in the ward at its 12-bed hospice in Exeter, as well as running day therapy centres in Exeter, Tiverton and Seaton.

Every year Hospiscare looks after 2,000 terminally ill patients and their families in Exeter, East and Mid Devon and has helped a total of 22,500 since 1982.

These services are free-of-charge to everyone who needs them throughout the area.

Hospiscare works with people with a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including cancer, motor neurone disease and heart disease.

Hospiscare has seven doctors and consultants and 28 community nurses specialising in end-of-life care, who visit patients at home, in hospitals and care homes.

An amazing 1,097 volunteers provide a vital contribution enabling the charity to offer a wide range of services; patient support, bereavement support, complementary therapies, chaplaincy support, administration, transport and fundraising.

This year it will cost Hospiscare £5m to offer its services, with £1.2m contributed by the NHS and the remaining funded through legacies, grants, Hospiscare's 19 shops and retail services as well as significant community fundraising.

Next Friday, October 10, is national "Bring A £1 Day" to support local hospices.

Hospiscare is asking people to "Bring A £1" to their work places, schools, sports and community groups.

Contact Hospiscare to receive a poster and collecting box and get family, friends and colleagues to Bring £1.

Find out more about our work and how to donate at: http://www.hospiscare.co.uk">www.hospiscare.co.uk or call 01392 688000.