Hospice patient enjoys "A Perfect Day" on the canal surrounded by friends and family
A St Giles Hospice patient recently shared a day on the water, with friends and family, creating special memories together.
Lee Moody, age 54, from Burton-Upon-Trent, received end of life care for terminal cancer at the Whittington hospice.
This special occasion was made possible through the compassionate efforts of the team at St Giles Hospice and the generous support of ABC Boat Hire at Kings Orchard Marina, just outside Whittington.
Volunteer drivers at St Giles, Peter Brindle and Adrian Johnson, played a key role in making the day special, ensuring that the family arrived comfortably at the marina and returned back to the hospice afterwards.
The highlight of the day was a serene canal trip aboard a boat aptly named "A Perfect Day", with ABC Boat Hire taking special care to make Lee’s journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
The boat trip took the group to a pub in Fradley, where they paused to enjoy a delightful picnic together, accompanied by music. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of peace as everyone cherished the time spent together.
Lee said: “It meant the world to me to have all my friends and family together on the canal. Being surrounded by so much love and laughter made it a day I'll never forget. The peace and joy I felt on that boat will stay with me always."
As the boat returned to the marina, the group played the nostalgic Rosie and Jim theme tune, adding a joyful and fitting conclusion to the day. Wayne Moody, Lee’s brother, expressed his gratitude, saying: “It was so nice to get everyone together to be with Lee and experience the serenity of being on the water.”
Kristy Clayton, Director of Clinical Services at St Giles Hospice, added: "It’s so lovely that the family booked this special surprise for Lee, with assistance from the team at St Giles. Lee's day on the canal is a wonderful example of how small acts of kindness can create lasting memories during such challenging times."
Lee's family granted us permission to share this story after he sadly died in September. They said: “This is a treasured reminder to show how things that seem impossible can happen with the right support and mindset.”
To find out more about St Giles Hospice, visit: stgileshospice.com
