Inspirational Stories

The Unbreakable Spirit of a Key Volunteer
Karen McMillan is a young woman who works in the publishing industry. In her limited spare time, she is a volunteer for North Shore Hospice. A trained writer, North Shore Hospice... (read more)

Christmas at Hospice from a Nurses Perspective
The Christmas spirit is more than the joy of giving and receiving gifts and over indulgence. Christmas Day for some of the Hospice nurses... (read more)

Christmas a Bittersweet Time for the Terminally Ill and their Families
Christmas. It evokes images of goodwill, family time, sharing and giving, but even for the average family it can also be a stressful time.... (read more)

Working at Hospice on Christmas Day - For the Housekeepers
"Christmas is a season of such infinite labour, as well as expense in the shopping and present-making line"... (read more)

Working at Hospice on Christmas Day - Tricia C.
I choose to work on Christmas Day and it's somewhat hard to explain. Perhaps it stems from the old training. When I was a student... (read more)

Fundraiser with a Heart of Gold
A one woman whirlwind, Therese Russel has been an enthusiastic volunteer for the North Shore Hospice for more than a year. Married with four children ranging in age... (read more)

The Experience of Hospice
Some years ago I used to drive past North Shore Hospice and think what a wonderful place it must be. The gardens were always beautiful and I felt that there must have been exceptional... (read more)

Humour and the Hospice Help Hugely
Ted Jacobs is not letting a brain tumour rob him of his enjoyment of life. With irrepressible humour, a positive attitude and the support of Hospice, family and friends, this seventy-six year old... (read more)

Happy Birthday Lowri
Four years ago today you came into our lives...How will we get through today without you here? The day before you died you told me that you wanted a 'pink cake' and that you still wanted... (read more)

Coming to Terms With Brain Tumour
Two and a half years ago, Jason Burberry, 33, was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and told he had about 24 months to live. This devoted Torbay husband and dedicated father of three talks to Cathy Withiel about how he handles living with dying... (read more)

Waiting at the Station
I am waiting at the last station before I leave this world. As a resting place this station exceeds all others. Its name is North Shore Hospice and has conveniences more numerous than a five star hotel, except there is no bar, a factor which does not concern me in my present state of health... (read more)

A Brave Mother
Northcote mother Pauline Shepherd had just been told she was pregnant when her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died at North Shore Hospice six weeks after their boy was born. Cathy Withiel speaks to the brave mother, now coping alone with four children... (read more)