Nick Jewson married Marilyn, his partner of eight years, just 12 days before she died after suffering from liver cancer for months. Nick's wedding photos, taken by the hospice's chaplain at the service, are now his most treasured possession – memories of his last few days with his wife.

The 63-year-old got in touch after hearing about the Mercury LOROS appeal, which aims to help raise £450,000 towards the cost of a £2m extension. Marilyn, of Knighton, Leicester, died, aged 54, in October 2004, a month after she was admitted to LOROS.

Speaking about their wedding, Nick said: "Although neither of us was religious, the chaplaincy supported us in the most sensitive and caring way. "LOROS made us both feel human again, enabling us to express our feelings to one another. During those last weeks, LOROS gave us the space, time and opportunity to be together as a couple in the most intense and meaningful way. Just 12 days before she died, Marilyn and I were married in a little side room. As ever, LOROS staff helped, at short notice, with every aspect of the ceremony, respecting our wishes for the kind of quiet wedding we wanted. It was the chaplain who took our wedding photographs, which are now among my most treasured possessions."

Nick said Marilyn's life was transformed the minute they entered the Groby Road hospice.

He said: "For all their efforts, it seemed as if busy NHS staff had little to offer someone with only a short time to live. Expert palliative care by the doctors and nurses at LOROS brought her pain under control for the first time, giving her a chance to think, feel, plan, make arrangements and see people. The hospice staff tailored her routines around her choices, always asking what she would prefer. I was allowed to sleep over in the hospice, enabling me to be with Marilyn through the night. Many different services were offered to us, including alternative therapies which had long been an important aspect of Marilyn's world."

After Marilyn's death, LOROS continued to help Nick by offering counselling, "kindness and friendship".

Five years later, his job has taken him to South Wales but he said his experiences of LOROS changed his life. "I make a monthly donation to LOROS and work as a volunteer for a hospice in Cardiff," he said. I do not have the words to thank everyone at LOROS for what they did for Marilyn and me."

Our appeal has raised £110,848 and we will continue with our efforts throughout 2010.

We are so grateful for Leicester LOROS hospice's care of mum

Monday, January 11, 2010, 09:30