Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor, or ‘Sambo’ as he was known to friends and family was just 31 when he lost his battle with bowel cancer in July last year.

Mum Sharon said: “We were all a bit apprehensive when the hospice was first mentioned. Samuel said at first that he didn’t want to go there. He was always very stubborn and usually got his own way, but had a great sense of humour too. From when we first walked through the doors, it wasn’t like we expected. It was very homely and less clinical than we thought. You don’t see things like medical equipment about the place, although they always had everything Samuel needed. Everyone was so friendly too. The doctors and nurses were more like friends and even the cleaners came into Sam’s room for a chat. Volunteers were always popping in too. The food came in big portion sizes and Sam really enjoyed it. While he was in he focussed on getting well enough to go home to his 2 boys and he spent a few months in and out of the hospice so he could do that.

Sambo's Dad, also called Samuel said: “Things like being able to turn the tv on and watch it without having to pay for it as it can get expensive in places like hospitals. Sambo was in during the World Cup and the staff decorated the lounge with flags and banners and threw a party so that patients could all watch the England game together. Sambo’s friend went down to watch the match with him and the staff even got some non-alcoholic beer in for Sam as he couldn’t drink on the medication he was taking.”

Sharon added: "It was like a second home for Samuel and when he was given the choice of going home or to the hospice, he chose the hospice because he felt comfortable there.”