By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 25 September, 2015
For more than 15 years, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton has had the honour of being president of LOROS Hospice.
As the charity celebrates its 30th birthday, Lady Gretton talks about her time as president and how she became involved with the Groby Road Hospice.
"My association with LOROS started in January 1988, when my husband, John, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was referred to the hospice," she says.
"Admittedly, both he and I entered the hospice with some trepidation, but the 14 months he spent in the care of LOROS, both as an inpatient and an outpatient proved to be a memorable experience, because of the wonderful help and support he, and I, received, as well as our two children and the wider family. After John died in April 1989, aged 48, I like so many others before and after me, wanted to give something back," said Lady Gretton.
"So I became involved with the Oakham Support Group, which led to becoming involved with events at the hospice itself."
Her involvement led to Lady Gretton being asked to become president of LOROS in 1999. "What an honour," she says. "And what a wonderful 16 years I have had.
"I have watched the hospice and all its services grow and develop into a superb organisation and become the fantastic centre of palliative care that we know today.
"So many services have been developed for our patients and their families over that time which have improved the help and support we can give them.
"I have worked with so many wonderful staff and volunteers during these years and I am truly grateful for all the dedication and support everyone has shown to our patients and to the Hospice.
"Thank you also for the wonderful support that we receive from the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, financially and in so many other ways.
"I have made so many friends through being part of the LOROS family and I just hope that I have been able to give something back, both in memory of my husband and in grateful thanks for the care that we received.
"I feel very privileged and honoured every time I enter the hospice to be part of such a wonderful organisation."
Help LOROS continue the work they do, and get involved with their 30 for 30 campaign, by visiting www.Loros.co.uk/30for30
