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Caitlin
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BLOG: Celebrating Caitlin: A life lived in technicolour

Caitlin

Celebrating Caitlin: A life lived in technicolour

Celebrating the life of their loved one in a way that reflects that person’s special qualities often helps the bereaved find comfort at such a deeply sad time.

For the Kelly family from Devon, paying tribute to much-loved Caitlin, just 23 years old when she died, involved a final adventure that perfectly captured her independent spirit and zest for life.

This Hospice Care Week (10 – 14 October) in partnership with Hospice UK, we’re sharing Caitlin’s story to remember the inspirational young woman she was, to highlight the vital help that hospices and hospice care can provide to people of all ages, and to reveal the very personal part a ground-breaking transatlantic voyage played in her family’s fond and fitting farewell.

At the end of her life, in May 2021, Caitlin – who was born with cerebral palsy and had epilepsy as well was a visual impairment and learning difficulties – was looked after by St Luke’s, initially at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, then at our specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Caitlin

Caitlin’s father, Sean Kelly, said: “It wasn’t unusual for Caitlin to have seizures, but when she suffered a brain haemorrhage at home, we knew we were facing something different and very serious.

“The hospital teams – initially at Royal Devon and Exeter and then at Derriford in Plymouth – did everything they could for her, but despite a series of operations the reality began to dawn that her life was coming to an end.  When it was suggested it might be time to have a conversation with someone from St Luke’s, Dr Doug Hooper – a member of the charity’s team at the hospital – was there to talk things through with us.

Caitlin Doug Hooper

“It was an incredibly difficult situation to accept because as a parent it’s always your instinct to fight on, but when he told us about Turnchapel, it felt like the best place for Caitlin to spend the final part of her life.”

So much more than simply a place to deliver expert medical provision, her family, including her mother, Jacqueline, brother, Cameron, and sister, Erin, describe the specialist unit as “an oasis of calm” in the most tumultuous of times.

Sean said: “After such a frenetic time, we welcomed the peace we found at the hospice, without the constant distractions of the hospital environment and the very necessary but stressful cacophony of beepers and warning sounds in the Intensive Care Unit. We decorated Caitlin’s room with her artwork, brought in her own pillows and familiar items from home and spent time reading to and just talking to her.”

It wasn’t just the tranquillity of our specialist unit at Turnchapel that made it such a haven for the Kelly family. They found solace in being able to lie down next to Caitlin on our special “cuddle bed”, which at the touch of a button expands from a single into a safe, comfortable double.

Sean said: “It was only afterwards that we learned the cuddle bed was donated in memory of a young lady, Chloe Hunn, who was close to Caitlin’s age when she was looked after at the hospice. Finding out it had been Chloe’s dying wish to have just such a bed so she and her boyfriend could cuddle – and that the family, together with friends and her local Cornish community, had clubbed together to posthumously donate it – made such an impact on us.

“The care and kindness of St Luke’s meant we had the time, space and even a certain serenity – in the midst of this most emotional of experiences – to say our goodbye to Caitlin, something for which we will always be grateful. We were grateful, too, for the support on hand, whether it was the St Luke’s nurses offering a cup of tea, a walk out in the garden or even a chat with the bereavement support staff who made themselves available, both during our time there and after her passing.”

In the week Caitlin was at St Luke’s, by chance Sean and his family, learned about a remarkable challenge, steeped in history, that brought to mind their daughter’s indomitable spirit. As part of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ journey on board the Mayflower, from Plymouth, Devon, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, a 21st century cutting-edge, fully autonomous ship, completely run by an IBM computer, was undertaking sea trials in preparation to set to sail – without a crew – following the same route across the Atlantic, collecting important scientific data along the way.

Caitlin IMB / ProMare Inc

Photo credit: IMB / ProMare Inc

Inspired by Caitlin’s can-do attitude to life, the family – who have relatives in the USA, including Caitlin’s sister – got in touch with Mayflower Autonomous Ship’s co-developer, ProMare Inc, with a very special request.

Sean said: “Plymouth has historically been a point of embarkation and adventure.  We explained how much it would mean to us if a few of Caitlin’s personal possessions, including some medals, bookmarks but also a small teddy bear from Turnchapel, could make the transatlantic crossing on Mayflower so they could reach her relatives in the USA, and they very kindly agreed. After a circa three-week voyage, the trimaran arrived at its destination in the summer of 2022.  Caitlin loved adventures and, in a way, the crossing represented a great adventure in honour of that spirit.

Caitlin

“Our beautiful, happy and sometimes sassy daughter never considered herself to be less able than others. She was defined by her determination to overcome her disabilities and to live her life literally in technicolour. She was – and will always be – such an inspiration to us.”

Tour de Moor
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BLOG: Tour de Moor: Cyclists’ support that helps keep the wheels of local hospice care turning

Tour de MoorCyclists’ support that helps keep the wheels of local hospice care turning

It was big, it was bold and it turned Dartmoor blue, raising vital funds for our compassionate care.

On Sunday 9 October, over 1,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities proudly donned their branded blue tee-shirts and took to the saddle for our annual cycling challenge, Tour de Moor, in support of the vital care we provide for local families affected by terminal illness.

Located on the rugged wilds of Dartmoor, participants pitted themselves against the toughest, hill-filled terrain for 52km, taking it down a gear for the 30km route or opting for the more gentle, 11km ride along the tarmac paths of Drake’s Trail.

Sponsored by local company Print Copy Scan Ltd, Tour de Moor helps support the specialist services we provide free of charge to our patients, reaching across Plymouth and into rural areas, including Tavistock, Dartmoor and the South Hams.


Among the sea of cyclists were many taking part in tribute to a loved one looked after by St Luke’s at the end of their life.

Taking on the 52km for his second year was Steve from Tavistock “There’s downhills, a lot of uphill’s, the climbs are horrible but when you get to the top at Princetown the views are amazing and it is so rewarding when you get to the finish. This year I am taking in part in memory of my Grandad who died a few weeks ago of cancer. St Luke’s were there from the start of the diagnosis, to treatment and until his passing. I must say St Luke’s were with the family step by step and provided an unbelievable service, you couldn’t ask for a better charity. It was unbelievable”.

Joining him was Steve Hodge from Plymouth “I’m cycling today for a good friend of mine, Matthew Reynolds who had his 50th birthday in late August and died the week after. He had such great care in St Luke’s, they made it more comfortable for him and extended that support to the whole family. It is such a great local charity, getting involved in an event like this is just nice to give something back”.

But it is not all mud, sweat and hills, Tour de Moor also has a more gentle 11km family route along Drakes Trail. Making it a family day out was English folk singer, songwriter Seth Lakeman and his son Morley. Seth cycling in memory of a good friend, said: “It is so important to support a charity like this, St Luke’s have touched people in so many different ways. I can’t imagine a Devon without St Luke’s, the end of life care and what they achieve is almost hard to fathom. I think these sort of moments when you are pushing yourself physically I felt quite emotional crossing the line and thought of those people who aren’t around anymore and how St Luke’s have helped them”.

And, with 2022 marking 40 years since we welcomed our first patients, in 1982, for each and every Tour de Moor participant there was the pride of receiving a special commemorative medal on their completion of the challenge.

St Luke’s Head of Fundraising, Penny Hannah, said: “It was incredibly moving to see so many cyclists turn out in support of our charity’s compassionate care for families going through the toughest of times.

“All our Tour de Moorers should feel incredibly proud because it is their support – and that of everyone who fundraises and volunteers for us – that will help us keep doing what we do for the next 40 years and beyond. Huge thanks to everyone who took part in this year’s challenge, our volunteers, Dartmoor National Park, Maristow Estate, David May Motor Service’s, The Hire Shop, Appleby Westward and Rapid Relief Plymouth all for whom we could not put on an event of this scale. You have done your community proud!”

Kate Volunteering
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BLOG: You can’t judge a book by its cover: the inside scoop on volunteering

Kate VolunteeringFor many of us, a full-time job can be all consuming with little time for ourselves, let alone anything else.

But for one woman, in the wake of her mother’s death, leaving her high-flying career and starting volunteering was the best move for her own well-being.

Kate Warren has been volunteering for St Luke’s for the past four years. Starting off at our Plympton warehouse, she now splits her time between our bookshop on Plymstock Broadway and our Western Approach warehouse.

“I had never considered volunteering or the benefits of it, I was always stretched for time, but it made such a refreshing change,” she said.

Kate moved to Plymouth from London in 2004, studying at Plymouth University as a mature student. She went on to work at a maritime company for the next 9 years as a business analyst, conducting research and investigative work. This skillset has helped Kate find her feet within our Plymstock bookshop, becoming an encyclopaedia of knowledge for book browsers.

She said: “I have found it very beneficial to work in a bookshop, as the saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover. You get a diverse mix of customers, some ask for specific and obscure books, while others want more common ones. I end up with lists of books to find for people and get a real lift when I can find something people are looking for.”

The turning point for Kate came when her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was cared for by Trinity Hospice in London and after her death, the hospice provided support and grief counselling for Kate and her siblings. They put Kate in touch with her local hospice, to receive further support, which is when she first came across the wider organisation of St Luke’s, beyond our charity shops.

“I reached the point where there was no more job satisfaction. I was struggling to balance work and caring for my mother, until eventually I took a sabbatical and never looked back. Leaving my job was a big jump and was scary, but I soon found that there is life on the other side and an opportunity opened up for me.

“A notice for a volunteering open day for St Luke’s popped up on my Facebook one day and I knew it was a way I could give something back.”

Initially volunteering in our Plympton warehouse back in 2018, Kate now volunteers for three days a week in both our smallest and largest charity shops and is our resident book specialist, handpicking boxes of books to send out to several of our charity shops.

Kate volunteering

“It gives me so much job satisfaction and flexibility. Since volunteering, I feel like I have a purpose again. During lockdown when the shops were closed I also started helping at a food hub, which can sometimes get stressful, so it is nice to know the next day I will be sorting books. I’ve always been a fan of crime fiction, what is great is I am always getting recommendations from customers and discovering all sorts of curious books that come in.

“I feel my voluntary work is also helping me to keep my little grey cells active! Keeping a sharp mind is probably not something people give much consideration when thinking of retiring.”

It is not just Kate’s mental health that volunteering has impacted, her confidence has improved also.

“I wasn’t very outgoing before, but I have found working in the shop has meant I am talking to all sorts of interesting people and learning so much about the history of the area.

“When it comes to volunteering, I have found you get out what you put in. I wish I’d made myself more time when I was working to volunteer, but I am doing it now instead.

“I understand the pressures people are under, but I really encourage others to consider volunteering. It doesn’t have to be everyday, just now and again. It is all about finding your niche, finding what ticks your boxes. For me that is books.”

Kate volunteering

From working in our shops and warehouse, to helping out at our specialist unit or fundraising events, we are always on the lookout for volunteers. If you can spare some time to help us, then get in touch to find out about the opportunities available.

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BLOG: Turn your closet clear-out into compassionate care

We’re in urgent need of more womenswear.

We know that you, our wonderfully loyal supporters, always rally to support St Luke’s, so we’re sending out an SOS asking for your urgent help!

So quick is the turnover of the good-quality, pre-loved clothing we sell in our charity shops that stocks are running low, particularly in womenswear. If you have any items that no longer fit or aren’t quite your style anymore, please reach into your wardrobe and then donate to our charity shops at Plympton or Western Approach in Plymouth City Centre so that, in turn, we can reach more families who need us at the toughest time of their lives.

Every time you donate to our stores, you play a vital role in helping us fund the compassionate care for which we are renowned, making your community a kinder a place for people with terminal illness whose time is running short. You’re helping us to be there for them wherever they need us – at home, in hospital or at Turnchapel – for as long as they need us, bringing light at what can feel to them like a very dark time.

We know the cost of living crisis means everyone is feeling the pinch, and the rising cost of providing our services – which we give free of charge to anyone who needs us – is impacting St Luke’s, too.

Not only is recycling your (or your partner’s or kids’!) unwanted clothes by donating them to our charity good for both purse and planet, it’s one of the kindest things you can ever do for our patients and their families. Of course, it also means there’s way more choice of items in our shops for everyone searching out a bargain!

Our charity shops open seven days a week at Plympton (near Chaplin’s) and Western Approach in Plymouth City Centre (the former Toys R Us building), are ready to welcome you and your donations as fast as you can get there. They’re geared up with plenty of space for storage before putting your pre-loved items on display.

From all of us at St Luke’s – our staff and volunteers and, of course, our patients and their loved ones – thank you so much for turning your closet clear-out into vital compassionate care!

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BLOG: Make a Will Week, November 2022

Embrace Make a Will Week and look after your loved ones.

Many of us put off making a will. Even though we want to protect our family and friends after we die and know that our property and possessions will be dealt with in the way we choose, it’s a task that’s often avoided or neglected.

But recording your wishes is actually a very straightforward process, as well as an act of kindness for those you leave behind. With that in mind, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is inviting people to take advantage of their Make a Will Week, which runs from 7 – 13 November 2022.

Community-spirited local solicitors are giving their time free of charge to create wills during that week, in return for a donation to the much-loved charity, with an option to also leave a legacy for St Luke’s. The funds this raises will help the hospice continue its valuable end of life care and support services for families in Plymouth and surrounding areas for years to come.

Having a will in place can bring you peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that your wishes will be followed through after your death. For your loved ones, having an official record of what you want to happen will make an already distressing time a little bit easier for them. A will spells out exactly how you want your estate to be distributed, rather than everything you own being shared in the standard way specified by law, which might not match up with what you would prefer.

It’s especially important to make a will if you have children or other family members who depend on you financially, or if you want to leave a gift to people or organisations you care about. It’s also crucial to update your will when personal circumstances change, for example, if you get married or divorced, purchase a property, have children or grandchildren, or if a partner or other family member dies.

The generous companies taking part in St Luke’s Make a Will Week include Roper James Solicitors, SWLaw and Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors and they are available for face-to-face pre-booked appointments during the week of 7 – 13 November 2022. The charity has also teamed up with the online will writing service Farewill, which will suit anyone who would prefer to use a web-based option during the same period.

St Luke’s Head of Fundraising Penny Hannah said:“People often forget that it is not always about sorting out the financial aspects. A will ensures your final wishes are clear. Your possessions and property are going to the right place, and the family and children you leave behind will be looked after.

“Our Make a Will Week is an ideal opportunity to make or update your will, especially if your marital status has changed, you have bought a house or recently added to your family.”

Creating or updating your will is also a time when you can choose to leave a legacy to a cause close to your heart. For St Luke’s, it is the funds the charity receives through legacies that help the hospice make plans for its future so that no-one in the local area who has a terminal illness will have to miss out on high-quality care at the end of their lives.

Penny Hannah said: “Leaving a legacy to St Luke’s is a compassionate gesture that helps future generations and makes more of a difference to our patients and their families than you will ever know.”

To create or update your will, simply contact one of the solicitors taking part to make an appointment between 7 and 13 November, quoting ‘St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth Make a Will Week’.

Book your appointment today!

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