A date night to remember for Aimee and Dan at St Luke’s

26th March 2026
Aimee and Dan
  • Aimee, receiving specialist care at St Luke’s, shared how much she missed simple date nights with her husband, Dan.
  • The hospice team at our specialist unit created a surprise romantic evening, complete with a Chinese takeaway, candles and a decorated table.
  • Aimee and Dan are renewing their wedding vows this weekend at the hospice, surrounded by loved ones.

A date night to remember at St Luke’s specialist unit

After being admitted to St Luke’s specialist unit to manage the complex symptoms of her stage four cancer, Aimee Sumner was really missing date nights with her husband, Dan.

So when she asked if it was possible to set up something at the hospice, the team pulled out all the stops to create a memorable soiree for the couple.

Together for seven years and married for five, Aimee and Dan have always loved sharing a takeaway and snuggling up to watch a film at home in Plymstock, as well as more adventurous outings like axe-throwing, bowling or walks in the park with dogs Odin, a Sprollie, and Pip the Jack Russell.

Aimee and Dan

Setting the scene for romance

For their special night at Turnchapel, St Luke’s team set the mood for a romantic meal, ordering in a Chinese, laying a table in the hospice café with pink tablecloth, heart-shaped pink balloons, candles and Bucks Fizz with a proper champagne bucket and flutes.

“I loved it. It made me cry,” said Aimee, 38. “It was such a lovely surprise – they made it so special. And Dan bought me flowers, bless him, just like a proper date!

“I can’t eat very much now so only managed a couple of mouthfuls of the Chinese, and I couldn’t drink the Bucks Fizz, but we had a toast. It was just lovely.”

Aimee dozed off a few minutes into their chosen horror movie, but date night wasn’t quite finished yet. The couple then spent the night in a cosy side room, where staff set up a two-person cuddle bed and decorated it with rose petals.

“Now I’m at this point, I’m in a place where I feel comfortable and cared for and I know I am in safe hands. But I miss home, and not being with Dan is the hardest thing. It was so nice to actually lie down and cuddle with Dan for the first time in a good while,” she said.

Aimee and Dan

Saying ‘I do’ all over again

The romantic mood continues this weekend when Aimee and Dan renew their wedding vows at the hospice in a ceremony attended by family and friends, followed by a party with slap-up buffet in the Conservatory.

“I’m excited about that,” said Aimee. She will put on her wedding dress once again and Dan will wear his suit, with bouquets and buttonholes arranged by her best friend, Nicki.

“My family are from up North and as it’s really short notice I’m not sure if they will be able to come down. But my hubby’s family will be here, and we’re having the ceremony videoed so that people who can’t come can see it.”

Aimee has nothing but praise for the thoughtfulness of the St Luke’s team in helping her and Dan make these precious memories.

“It is second to none here. St Luke’s is such a beautiful place, and the staff are incredible. I have never met such a beautiful bunch of people. The work that they do is amazing caring for us all.”

Learn more about St Luke’s at Turnchapel

Related articles

Aimee and Dan
, ,

BLOG: A date night to remember for Aimee and Dan at St Luke’s

After being admitted to St Luke’s specialist unit to manage the complex symptoms of her stage four cancer, Aimee Sumner was really missing date nights with her husband, Dan. So when she asked if it was possible to set up something at the hospice, the team pulled out all the stops to create a memorable soiree for the couple.
, ,

BLOG: Pedalling for St Luke’s: Tugboats and Dolphins take on a 1,200 mile challenge

When three friends from Plymouth set off from Dover today, they’ll be carrying far more than their bikes and kit. They’ll be kicking off one of many challenges in their year long mission to raise £15,000 to help St Luke’s care for families across our community.
, ,

BLOG: Tender care at home eases singing star Jean’s farewell

Glamorous singing star, TV character actress, inspirational and loving mother, vivacious and supportive grandmother and great grandmother, Jean Dike lived her extraordinarily full life with dignity, elegance and grace until the very end. One of Plymouth’s best-loved entertainers and matriarch of a large, unconventional, artistic family, she embraced several identities during her lifetime.
, ,

BLOG: Going the extra mile for Albion’s ‘Queen’ Anne: Sam’s tribute at Men’s Day Out

One man is going the extra mile – literally – at our Men’s Day Out next week, to honour Plymouth Albion’s beloved ‘Queen’ – Anne Prue. Sam Lever, from Plymouth, is the Vice-chairman and interim secretary for Plymouth Albion 200club. On Saturday 14 March he will be walking our Men’s Day Out for the second year running in memory of Anne, who was an avid supporter of St Luke’s and secretary of the 200club.
, ,

BLOG: By Royal invitation…How we flew the flag for St Luke’s at the King’s reception for carers

As His Majesty reached out to grasp my hand, the significance of the momentous occasion suddenly hit me. There, in the historic hallows of St George’s Hall, as the sun set behind Windsor Castle, not only was I meeting King Charles face-to-face, but I was bestowed with a right royal opportunity to sing St Luke’s praises to the gothic-beamed rafters in the most illustrious company possible...
, ,

BLOG: Josie’s journey: a legacy of love and awareness

Sometimes, life is not as long as we expect, or hope it will be. Receiving a terminal diagnosis can feel shattering on every level. Yet with tenderness, the utmost sensitivity - and kindness that never wavers - the right care and support can bring peace to an anxious mind and soothe a frightened heart. At Turnchapel, where talented artist Josie is a patient, she is surrounded by those who matter most to her: husband Laith – her ‘rock’ - and their two bright, beautiful girls, Becca, aged 10, and Sophie, 6...
, ,

BLOG: Supporting our people to learn, grow and thrive: National Apprenticeship Week 2026

This Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating the people at St Luke’s who are growing their skills, building their confidence and taking the next step in their careers - all while continuing to make a difference every day. We now have nine members of staff undertaking apprenticeships across the organisation - from our clinical and care teams to retail, admin, finance, IT and HR. This week we wanted to shine a light on the nurses who have been leading the way for career development.
, ,

BLOG: Lighting the way: businesses back city’s summer art trail and auction in aid of local hospice care

Plymouth’s business community is charting a course for hope, coming together to support St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s Guiding Lights, a major public art trail and auction set to illuminate the city this summer. Recently, representatives from local businesses and other organisations gathered at the National Marine Aquarium to select their favourite lighthouse designs from over 90 submitted by talented artists from Plymouth and further afield. Together, they cast their votes for the designs they most want to see the artists bring to life as full-scale sculptures. Their choices will help shape a trail of striking lighthouses that will shine across Plymouth and beyond this summer, attracting visitors, boosting the local economy, and symbolising the comfort, guidance and compassion for which St Luke’s is renowned.
, ,

Cultivating care: The volunteers who keep our hospice gardens blooming

If you ever visit our specialist unit at Turnchapel one of the first things you will notice are the carefully cultivated gardens surrounding the hospice building. Every Wednesday a group of 6 volunteers have been giving up their time to dedicate some care and love to our gardens, keeping them pruned, de-weeded and full of life. Their hard work creates a peaceful, welcoming space for patients, families and staff to enjoy - a place where nature offers comfort and calm during difficult times.
PreviousNext

Our Care

Support us

Courses

Information

BLOG: Pedalling for St Luke’s: Tugboats and Dolphins take on a 1,200 mile...