Jake Measures, aged 32 from Husbands Bosworth, experienced first-hand the impact of hospice care when his Dad, Dave, 67, was cared for at LOROS last year. As he prepares to take on the Run Leicester Festival for LOROS in October, he shares his story.
“When my dad first came to LOROS in May 2025, our family had reached a point where we simply didn’t know what to do anymore. Dad had been diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2024. Surgery wasn’t possible, so he began chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but when the chemotherapy ended, we saw huge changes in him. His symptoms became worse, his pain was almost unbearable, and after a frightening week in hospital, my sister and I knew we couldn’t manage alone. Coming to LOROS was a cry for help.
What was meant to be symptom control became six weeks of end-of-life care, and from the very first phone call, LOROS did absolutely everything they could for Dad and for all of us. The night he arrived at the Hospice was the first time we slept properly in weeks. Knowing he was safe, comfortable and being cared for by people who truly understood our situation lifted such a huge weight from our shoulders. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without LOROS.
Dad went from being terrified to finally feeling safe again. In fact, one of his biggest worries became how he would ever afford the care he was receiving. That says everything about the kindness and compassion shown by the staff. Every single moment we were cared for — not just Dad, but our whole family too.
The little things are what stay with me most. The nurses would make sure my sister and I had eaten, quietly bringing us cups of tea because they knew we hadn’t stopped all day. They offered the children ice lollies so Dad could sit and watch the joy on their faces. My sister once asked for a plastic bag to take some of Dad’s belongings home after he died, and one of the nurses replied, “You’re not taking your dad’s belongings in a plastic bag.” A little while later she returned with a beautiful handmade tote bag instead. Those thoughtful touches made such a difficult time feel gentler.
Towards the end, the team knew my sister and I wanted to stay close to Dad right until his last breath, so they arranged for us to have a side room where we could take it in turns to sit by his bedside over his final four days. During that time we were given yellow crochet hearts — one placed in Dad’s hand, with matching hearts for family members to keep. Having that connection brought us so much comfort. I now have that little yellow heart tattooed on my leg.
I remember the relief in Dad’s eyes when he realised he was safe. I remember the staff understanding and laughing at his sarcastic humour. I remember him sitting in the garden watching his grandchildren play again. One of my proudest memories happened there too — telling Dad that my partner and I were expecting our baby daughter. He didn’t have much energy that day and complained about us dragging him into the garden but sitting there listening to the birds while sharing that news with him became a memory we will never forget.
Seeing the care Dad received is what inspired me to take part in Run Leicester Festival for LOROS. I enjoy running anyway, and I love encouraging others to give it a go too. Events like this give people a reason to challenge themselves, and I hope to take part every year. This year my sister and brother-in-law will be joining me, which makes it even more special. Dad enjoyed a physical challenge so he will be cheering us on no doubt.
Fundraising has become something that means a lot to our whole family. My nephew Freddy, who is six, and my niece Harriet, who is five, even organised their own Reindeer Run after asking my sister, “How can we get some money for the people that helped Pops?” With help from friends, family and their school community, they organised games, stalls and cakes in the village Dad lived in and raised money for LOROS.
Freddy said ‘It made us feel good’ whilst Harriet said ‘We wanted to do it to get more money to help other people and it can keep running because it helped our Pops’.
They still remember the kindness shown to them at LOROS too. Freddy’s favourite memory was ‘taking Pops to see the fish’ and being shown ducklings by one of the nurses, while Harriet remembers the teddy bears and treats they were given by the counsellor.
LOROS gave our family comfort, dignity, compassion and moments we’ll treasure forever during the darkest time of our lives. No words, actions or donations will ever truly feel enough to thank the incredible people who made that possible.”
