Geoff and Wendy Round

Geoff spent much of his life in the Midlands, working in HR within the steel industry before the family moved to Carlisle in 2007 where he threw himself into community life. He served as a parish councillor, took on roles at the local village hall, and joined the bowls club, where he eventually became both treasurer and president. He even started a table tennis club at the age of 82 years old.  Despite not being from the area; his dedication and effort was recognised and he was awarded a City Award for his services to Carlisle.

In 2013 he sadly lost his wife and was also diagnosed with skin cancer. Over the next 8 years he grew even closer to his daughter, Wendy, as she described him as her rock.

By 2022,they received the news that the cancer had spread to his prostate and bones. Despite the challenges he faced, Geoff was known as a man of the community, a character and hard-working. He passed away peacefully at Eden Valley Hospice on 14th May 2022 shortly after a goodnight kiss from Wendy.

Hospice Journey:

Geoff was admitted to the hospice on 8th May 2022, shortly after sustaining a hairline fracture in his pelvis while out in Carlisle. It became clear that it was time to begin palliative care to manage any pain. After beginning with a UTI and spending some time in the hospital, Wendy began to feel that that it was the right time for extra help and that her dad would benefit from more specialist hospice care.

While Wendy and her partner were in Scotland supporting an unwell family member, they received a call to say that a bed had become available.

They made the decision for Geoff to be admitted and travelled straight back to Carlisle to be with him that night.

‘Basically they said it doesn’t matter. You can come in at any time’ Wendy recalled.

They arrived at the hospice at 10:30pm and were welcomed straight away with a cup of tea. Wendy explained she felt a sense of comfort and reassurance that her dad had enjoyed one of his favourite foods upon arrival, some ice cream.

‘What’s always surprised me when coming in here, you’d expect it to be a depressing place and it doesn’t feel depressing whatsoever. And that’s largely due to the people here.’ Wendy said

When her dad arrived from the hospital, he was a little unkempt, which was unusual for someone who had always taken such pride in being well-groomed, immaculate and clean-shaven. But when she visited the next morning, his hair had been neatly trimmed and he was freshly shaven.

‘I can’t tell you what that meant, to me, It was just. “that’s my dad”

Wendy appreciated all the small personal touches that were added throughout her dad’s time in the hospice. Being able to bring pictures, and personal items, such as a teddy called ‘Cromwell’, into his room to make it personal to him in his last few days. She also remembers walking in to find his favourite TV show playing, or his favourite music.

The nurses who cared for Geoff left a long lasting impression on Wendy. She remembers one morning when a nurse walked in and said, “Morning Geoff, it’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? I bet you’d love to be on Ullswater today.” Geoff loved Ullswater and enjoyed taking the steamer regularly.

‘That to me, that was just such a nice personal touch. It sticks with me now nearly three years on.’

Reflecting on Geoff’s Time in the Hospice:

Thinking back, Wendy now feels ‘it was the easiest decision ever. It allowed me to start my grieving process at the same time as being able to spend that quality time with Dad and talking to him’

‘It’s not a difficult question to answer, if you’re lucky enough to be offered a bed when they are at such scarcity, then take it.’ 

By being cared for in the hospice it took the practicalities of Geoff’s final days out of Wendy’s hands and into the wonderful caring hands of the nurses. It allowed Wendy to concentrate on spending time with her dad. Safe in the knowledge that all his medical needs as well as his comfort were being looked after and monitored closely.

’If you want to be able to spend quality time with your loved one in the short time that you generally have left with them. Then it’s an absolute no brainer that that you know everything else has been catered for plus you have that support for yourself.’

‘Everything was explained, nothing was hidden. Expectations were managed in a very nice way, although obviously you know you knew what was going to happen’

Wendy and EVH today:

Wendy’s family have been long standing supporters of Eden Valley Hospice; donating all the proceeds of both her mum and dad’s funerals to hospice care.

Today, Wendy, a talented artist draws portraits of pets and children, for which she asks for nothing other than a minimum donation of £30 directly to Eden Valley Hospice. Each portrait (or £30) helps cover the cost of one hour of nursing care.

‘I will never forget what you did for my dad and I will remain an advocate of the hospice supporting where I can be it volunteer days, donating items to the shops and even considering becoming a trustee to give back something to the wonderful care the hospice provides.’