Thanks a Million backing from supporter who saw best friend receive the best care

Clare Spearing is supporting the hospice’s Thanks a Million fundraiser after her best friend Claire Bassett was cared for by Prospect Hospice at the end of her life.

Clare said: “Claire Bassett was my best friend. We’d known each other over 15 years and used to live next door to each other. Despite becoming very ill, Claire was determined to raise funds for Prospect Hospice. She even came up with a name for us all – Claire’s Bears. The last fundraising event she took part in was Prospect’s Starlight walk in 2016. I pushed her all the way round the 15k route in her wheelchair.

“Prospect Hospice was incredibly caring and supportive of Claire and the family, and the staff there were determined the time she had left would be as lovely, and normal, as possible. When it was her husband Paul’s birthday they brought out banners and cake in Claire’s room to help them celebrate.

“It was never any problem how long visitors stayed, and in the last few days before Claire died we were able to take her out into the hospice’s lovely garden and enjoy the sunshine together. The atmosphere was as far from a hospital as you can get, and we are so very lucky in this area that if we or our loved ones ever need end-of-life care, we’ve got this fantastic service and no one has to pay a penny for any of the care received.

“That’s why I’m supporting the Thanks a Million appeal. Last year my nine-year-old son Max and I did two sponsored 5k walks independently because Starlight couldn’t go ahead in June 2020. This year we’ll also be supporting, and I’m taking a Thanks a Million page and asking friends and family to give what they can.”

To support the hospice’s Thanks a Million challenge and donate so local people can receive free end of life care, click here.