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

21st July 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

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