Loving memories as Loros marks its 35th anniversary
Families and volunteers reflect on key role of hospice in lives
LOROS hospice is still at the heart of the community 35 years on, say families, patients, volunteers and staff of the charity.
It was established with the aim to ensure everyone with an incurable illness had the right to high-quality care.
As the Groby Road hospice marks its 35th anniversary, the people of Leicestershire and Rutland, whose lives have been touched by the charity, have shared their memories of it.
John Knight, Loros chief executive, said: “We know Loros has a special place in many people’s hearts because although it is a sad time when a loved one dies, it’s often part of a cherished memory of them.
“It’s an honour to care for people at the end of their lives so we asked our community what impact we’ve made over the past 35 years.
“The response touching and whelming.”
People shared their most precious recollections of the hospice, from bonding with their family around the bedside of a beloved aunt to the willingness of doctors to help a patient attend his son’s wedding abroad.
Jan Zanker, from Leicester, remembered the first patient admitted to the Loros inpatient ward in 1985 – her mother-in-law.
She said: “My mum-inlaw, Gertie Zanker, was an inpatient during the official opening of Loros was overby Prince Charles and Princess Diana. We always said that it really kept my mum-in-law going.
“Prince Charles shook hands with her and they had a chat and she loved seeing Princess Diana, too.”
For Viv Rhodes, whose husband was a patient of the hospice, her memory is the thoughtfulness of the care he received.
“When I married my husband we knew then that our time together would be short. A few days later, he was admitted into Loros,” she said.
“On hearing that we were newly married, all the staff were amazing, pushing two beds together so we should sleep side by side.
“Sadly, he died a few weeks later but I will never forget the kindness of the staff and the support we were both given.”
Recollections of the hospice were not only from patients and their family members but volunteers, too, who have been a vitally important support at Loros.
The charity is supported by about 1,500 regular volunteers, one of whom was 18-year-old Leah Reek, who was killed in the Hinckley Road explosion in 2018.
Leah was a volunteer for the hospice’s day therapy service and was set to become a nursing student at De Montfort University later that year.
Before her death, the young volunteer was awarded for her efforts at Loros.
Her said:
Jan Zanker, from Leicester, remembered the first inpatient admitted to Loros, her mum-in-law
mother, Jo Reek, “She absolutely loved her time there. She was inspired by the place and came home saying how it was a privilege to
be part of the end of life journey and making patients and their families smile was so impor
tant. Her love for Loros was infectious and, as a family, we have carried on making people aware of the importance of such a special place by fundraising in memory of Leah.”
Leah’s family have continued to raise funds for the hospice.
As well as supporting its patients, the charity has been praised for its understanding and care for the families affected by the loss of their loved ones.
Loros has several nurses on the hospice ward who have dedicated almost the entirety of the charity’s 35 years to caring for its patients.
Janet Manual, day therapy manager, Jo Potts, deputy day therapy manager, and ward manager Tracey Hinde have all worked at Loros for between 32 and 35 years.
Janet said: “For me, I have a real passion for good end of life care.
“That’s why I’ve stayed this long.”
Jo joined Loros after seeing a patient die alone in a hospital ward.
She said: “I things should be than that.
“At Loros, our patients’ attitude is ‘I’m alive and I’m busy living my life’. We help them do that as long as possible.”
Memories of Loros will be shared on the hospice’s social media and website throughout this month to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
You can support charity by visiting website: knew better the the