By Leicester Mercury | Posted 18 May, 2012
After being diagnosed with bowel cancer in October, Derek's health deteriorated rapidly.
He was transferred to LOROS from hospital on January 31 and, although doctors believed he had a few days to live, he died there later that day.
Staff and volunteers could not have done more for him in the little time he spent there, said his son, Stuart, who spoke about his experiences of the hospice ahead of the charity's Colour of Ribbons remembrance event on Sunday.
"He was transferred from hospital to LOROS in January and was there for just four hours, but they made such an impression in those four hours," Stuart said.
"They made him comfortable and made sure we were all okay.
"The nursing staff came over and introduced themselves as soon as we got there and they took us aside and explained the situation to us.
"They really cared about what was happening. The doctor explained he didn't have long left and she did that in a very gentle and caring way.
"They just wanted to make his last few hours as comfortable as they could – and they did.
"He was comfortable and he could just slip away, and I think he was happy with that.
"He became quite coherent just before the end and we were all sat there, round his bed."
Stuart, of Hamilton, Leicester, said he was also overwhelmed by the support the family received after 83-year-old Derek, who lived in Netherhall, died.
"We were given a private room as I was with my mum and my sister, but I've got six brothers and sisters and over the next hour or so they all came in.
"We were given as much time as we needed – there was no rush to move him or get us out.
"Later, I was walking down a corridor and one of the nurses walked up to me and gave me a hug – no words, nothing, just a hug.
"It put it all into perspective – how care should really be."
The family are raising money for LOROS and will be attending Colour of Ribbons.
In exchange for a donation, visitors will be able to tie a coloured ribbon to a tree in the hospice grounds in memory of loved ones.
The Groby Road, Leicester, hospice is expecting hundreds of people to take part, including Leicester City ambassador and LOROS patron Alan Birchenall.
There are three times allocated for people to tie ribbons – 10.30am, noon and 1.30pm.
Visitors can also see the newly-installed Garden of Light and Reflection.
A hospice spokesman said: "It is anticipated that Colour of Ribbons will become an annual event."
Ribbons will be available in different colours to suit the person being remembered.
For details, call 0116 231 8484, or visit: www.loros.com
