Men’s Day Out – Men on the move make a massive difference for hospice care

Men’s Day Out is great for having those deeper conversations

Taking part in his tenth Men’s Day Out was Dave Walters from Staddiscombe, walking in memory of two much-loved family members. He said: “I join in every year because St Luke’s is a charity very close to my heart. They looked after my mum Connie at home before she died 18 years ago, and my sister Ros was cared for at Turnchapel before she passed away in 2014. As a family, we miss them so much, but it’s very comforting knowing they both received such superb care.”

Fellow walker Rich Lavers, who lives in Plympton, was participating in tribute to his wife Kate’s best friend Teresa, who was looked after by St Luke’s before sadly, she died seven years ago. He said: “Teresa was a fantastic lady, a really lovely person. When she needed end of life care at Turnchapel, St Luke’s made sure she was really well looked after. But not just that, they were there for all her family, too.

“Terminal illness touches so many lives, but as men we’re not always so ready to open up about our feelings around death and dying. Men’s Day Out is great for having those deeper conversations. It takes the tension away and the walls come down.”

My way of saying thank you to St Luke’s

Also enjoying the camaraderie of the day was Sean Cornish of Mannadon. He said: “Along with my mates, I signed up for Men’s Day Out straight away because I know how important the hospice is to the city. Doing the walk is my way of saying thank-you to St Luke’s team at Derriford for taking such great care of my mum Maureen in hospital before she died in 2022.

“It’s only fitting that she received their kindness because she was such a caring person herself, always thinking of others and dedicated to her work helping adults who have learning disabilities.”