If you’ve been at the Hospice recently you may have spotted Sir Stomp-a-lot sitting proudly in our woodland garden area. Wondering how he got there? There is a powerful story behind Sir Stomp-a-lot and his new home. Mary Knight bid for the coin-covered elephant in our Stomp Round Leicester Auction back in October and then donated him back to the Hospice in memory of her husband, Mark Warner. Mark, aged 67, was cared for in his final days at LOROS in September 2025. Here is their #SundayStory.
“Mark and I were together for 21 amazing years. As long as I can remember, Mark had experienced headaches and sinus problems but we thought nothing of them as it was just normal for him and he was still living an enjoyable life. In 2023, Mark was referred to the Queen’s Medical Centre as his headaches were persistent. In December 2023, he received a call and was devastated to find out that he had been living with an unruptured brain aneurism for over 20 years, which at this point was referred to as a giant aneurism as it had been there for so long. He was told he needed to go to the hospital that day and surgery was needed the following day. It all happened so quickly. He was warned of the potential risks of the surgery he was undergoing such as becoming blind and a loss of mobility but it was a risk he had to take. We didn’t know how long he’d have left if he didn’t have the surgery.
The next day, Mark had the operation. It was unsuccessful and caused a stroke which led to blindness and a loss of mobility. We’d lived such a special life together, travelling to the places we wanted to and living life to the full. It was just devastating. One day we thought he was healthy, the next our world was turned upside down. You just don’t expect things like this to happen.
We didn’t let this stop us from doing as much as we could for the final year of his life. We still enjoyed trips to the cinema, meals out and the theatre. Mark was a musician and played many instruments including being part of a brass band. Music was very important to him so we made sure he could keep experiencing the things he loved.
After 21 amazing years together, Mark surprised me by proposing. I arranged our wedding within a week. It was 4th October 2024 and a really sunny day! To become his wife was such a privilege and this day is a memory I’ll never forget. We managed to go on our honeymoon, a cruise around the Canary Islands. We packed a lot into a year!
On our last trip to the Curve theatre together, we came across Sir Stomp-a-lot on the Stomp Round Leicester trail. We had been to see the Addams Family and also enjoyed a behind the scenes touch tour. After the show and whilst waiting for our wheelchair taxi, I let Mark feel Sir Stomp-a-lot's trunk and described the coin covered Elephant to him. The textures of the Elephant meant that Mark could experience part of the trail too despite being blind. As a result of this experience, Sir Stomp-a-lot was special to me.
After many difficult care experiences, Mark was admitted into LOROS. We had never experienced LOROS before but it was such a contrast from other care that Mark had received. I could be his wife again and that meant everything to me in his final days. We were both so well supported and he received the best possible care. He was treated so nicely and with such respect.
Mark couldn’t speak by the time he came to LOROS so touch was even more important. One of the nurses could see I was trying to get really close to him, and mentioned they would try and get us a cuddle bed. When it came it really did make a difference. It meant so much.
It was so lovely to be able to sleep next to him, to hold his hand throughout the night, and to squeeze his hand and communicate through touch. It was really, really important to snuggle up next to him, and also for him to know I was right there with him too.
We’d arranged a party for our first wedding anniversary however it became clear he wouldn’t make it so the staff at LOROS rallied together to plan the party there instead. The nurses were so kind and pushed his bed out to the social area so Mark could spend time with his friends and family. At this point Mark was really sick. We’d got Kelly’s Heroes, a Nottingham based Irish folk band, booked to perform at our party but instead they came to LOROS and also provided a CD with their music so Mark could enjoy it in his room. He loved listening to music and loved Irish music particularly.
One week after Mark passed away in LOROS, the Elephants were assembled at the hospice for the Farewell Weekend and I was again drawn to Sir Stomp-a-lot. When I touched the Elephant, I was surprised by how warm it was from the sun. I touched the other side and it was freezing cold. There and then I decided that I wanted to bid for this Elephant and if I should be successful donate it back to LOROS in remembrance of Mark and the wonderful care he received at LOROS in his final days.
I watched the live auction online with my family, gathered some savings together and prepared to bid. It was very tense! We successfully won Sir Stomp-a-lot for £8000! Mark would have loved this as a press photographer, musician and art lover. I feel it is a fitting tribute for the beautiful soul that he was.
I have been back to visit Sir Stomp-a-lot a few times. Seeing and touching him makes me remember the nice things Mark and I did together. Because Mark touched the Elephant as I described it to him, I like to touch him too and it gives me a happy feeling of connection to Mark. Although I am deeply saddened at losing my beloved husband it is a small comfort to me knowing that the money I donated will help to offer this excellent care to others.”
