Cancer sufferer's daily battle with a facial tumour - but Alice House Hospice has been a huge help

Alice House Hospice in Wells Avenue, Hartlepool.

Brian Bradley, 69, has been a hospice resident since 2019. He suffers headaches and eyesight problems caused by the tumour which has been brought on by skin cancer.

But now that he is a full-time resident at the Wells Avenue hospice, he said: “I feel like I am living again.”

Brian shared his story to raise awareness of the hospice and the brilliant work that he does. He said: “It is strange to think that lots of people don’t really know what the hospice is about or how they can help. I hope that by sharing my experience I can help just one person feel a little less apprehensive about the word ‘hospice’.”

He first came to Alice House in 2019 for help to manage his symptoms. Brian said: “I first noticed the mole on my nose but I never went to the doctors about it until it was too late.

“Every day can be different for me with this tumour. Some days I am tired, other days I can feel okay but regardless, thanks to the hospice I finally feel like I am living again.

“When I first heard about going to the hospice I was a bit unsure but I knew I needed help, and I would have got bored just sitting at home all day.

“When I was still living at home I would visit the Day Hospice and social days but as things have become a bit too much for me I have moved into the Long Term Unit full time.”

Brian added: “I was looking around one day with one of the doctors and when I saw Room 13, I said “that’s the one for me”.

“It has a lovely large window and the light floods in. It is quite a busy room because it is close to the Bistro doors but I love hearing everyone coming and going.

“I can see all the nursing staff and I feel like I am in a home from home.”

Brian said he gets on really well with the staff and added: “They have supported me for such a long time now. I wouldn’t have managed at home with all of my medications and so on. I am properly looked after here.”

The Wells Avenue-based hospice in cares for hundreds of people throughout Hartlepool and East Durham each year, but it needs to fundraise £3 million annually to keep its doors open to all that need it.

One of its main income sources has been taken away as its nine charity shops have had to close during the lockdown. Between them, they raise £700,000 a year but chief executive Tracy Woodall said: “2020 was to be one of our best years yet, with a 40th anniversary and Year of the Nurse to celebrate.

“But then sadly the Coronvirus pandemic broke out. To protect the public, and hospice volunteers, the decision was made to close all nine hospice shops. This is resulting in an incredible loss of approximately £15,000 a week.

“This money was vital in making sure that for those who need hospice and end of life care during this pandemic that they can continue to get it. We need your help to make sure this will still happen.”

She urged the public to make donations if they could and to hold on to any item of clothing, piece of furniture, books, toys or bric-a-brac that they planned to donate until the shops are open again.

To find out more about the hospice, visit https://www.alicehousehospice.co.uk.

And to find out more about the coronavirus and latest case numbers, visit the Hartlepool Mail website.

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