HOSPICE staff pulled out all the stops to make sure a proud father David Thompson could attend a private relationship blessing ceremony for his daughter Sharon.

David Thompson's daughter Sharon and her fiancé Ernie Griffiths brought forward their plans to have their relationship blessed when David was admitted into the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford.

The private service of ‘blessing and thanks giving for the relationship’ was held at the Hospice on Saturday to give the couple spiritual support until the civil ceremony of marriage takes place.

Chester and District Standard:

Sharon, of Ellesmere Port, said, “We mentioned to the team here at the hospice that dad really wanted to see me in my dress and we just can’t believe what they have done for us.”

“It was really important to us as a family that Dad was at our blessing and they have arranged this private relationship blessing for us. The team here have just made it all happen, we are all just so grateful!”

“Everyone has got involved to make this day special, my dressmaker only had 2 days to alter mine and my four bridesmaids dresses ready for the day.”

Heart-warming pictures show the couple at the celebration in front of family and friends and a smiling David.

David said, “I’m really thankful to the Hospice and the team, they have done an amazing job of putting this together and for that we are really thankful.”

Chester and District Standard:

Michelle, Sharon’s sister, said: “We’ve never had any dealings with the Hospice before but we had heard of the wonderful work they do.”

“I can’t believe what the Hospice has done for us, it’s absolutely amazing; it’s the closest thing we can get to the real thing.”

Once the blessing, conducted by the hospice chaplain Gill Hibbert, was concluded the family and their friends celebrated at a small gathering held in the hospice café organised by the Head of Housekeeping and Café Services, Debbie McLeod. This included a glass of prosecco kindly donated from Waitrose, Chester.

Chester and District Standard:

Debbie Evans, ward manager said: “We wanted to make this a very special day for dad David, Sharon, Ernie and family; the whole team here at the hospice has pulled out all the stops to facilitate everyone so they can enjoy their time together.”

Caroline Siddall, Director of Income Generation, said: “The is what Hospice care is all about, being able to do days like this for patients and their families.”

“Whenever you make a donation or you come to our fundraising events, your support really does make a difference to someone’s life. You help us continue to provide care to the local community.“

“But every year the challenges of raising the funds become more and more difficult. We rely more now on our local community than ever before. If you are thinking of doing a fundraising event or making a donation, please do consider supporting the hospice.”

You can learn more about how you can get involved in supporting the hospice online at

www.hospicegs.com

or call 01244 851 811.