Fiona had aplastic anaemia, an illness which causes the bone marrow to stop producing enough red blood cells.
After Fiona’s condition worsened, her husband Colin was determined to honour her wish to spend her last days at home. When he reached out to The Shakespeare Hospice, our team had capacity — and that single moment of support shaped everything that followed. Fiona returned home, and Colin was able to be by her side, sharing quiet moments, memories, and love in the familiar surroundings that meant so much to them both.
Colin said: “The hospice staff were good, not only to Fiona, but also to me. They offered so much afterwards too - including counselling. It’s not just the person they deal with, they help the whole family.”
Sadly, Fiona died in 2023 at the age of 63.
For Colin, the support didn’t end when Fiona died. Our bereavement services gave him space, understanding, and someone to talk to as he learned to navigate life without the partner he had shared 36 years with.
“Fiona knew what was happening. Thanks to the hospice, she was able to die with great dignity in her own home, and that was thanks to the hospice. You never know you need something until you need it – they are amazing in every way.”
Stories like Colin’s remind us why hospice care matters — why every act of kindness, every moment of compassion, every hand held truly makes a difference.
And now, Colin is giving back in a way that honours the joy he and Fiona shared throughout their life together - especially in the ballroom.
"Our dancing was at a very modest level, however it was something we both enjoyed. We enjoyed cruise holidays and being able to dance enabled us to enjoy the cruising experience to its full. Our favourite memory was dancing the foxtrot to "New York, New York", when actually leaving New York on the Queen Mary 2."
On 14th March, Colin is organising a Big Band Ball at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon, featuring the Ashby Big Band, a Glenn Miller tribute, and a three-course dinner. It will be an evening filled with music, dancing, and celebration — all in aid of the Hospice that was there for them when they needed it most.
If you'd like to join Colin for this special night, and support the work of The Shakespeare Hospice, you can find details by clicking on the link below:
