As National Grief Awareness Week continues, here is the story of Fiona Hanrahan, who lost her father Patrick last December.
Our Bereavement team got in touch, and, as we approach the first anniversary of his passing, Fiona said: "Having someone to talk to has brought me a great deal of comfort. It's helped a lot."
Fiona is pictured with a stone found at Fairhaven Lake - where her father and mother used to visit often - on what would have been Patrick's 100th birthday, and the stone, now painted in his honour, will be placed at the memorial garden at Royal Preston Hospital, so Fiona can come and reflect.
For bereavement support, please contact 01772 523730 or email Bereavement@lthtr.nhs.uk
Fiona said of her experience: “After dad died, I needed support, and I was able to start coming, and I’ve been seeing Cecily quite often since. Having someone to talk to has brought me a great deal of comfort, with not having family too nearby, I look forward to my visits here so I can just talk and get upset if I need to, and I’ve enjoyed it, coming here. I have a chat and a coffee, say what I’ve been doing and feeling, it’s been good, it’s helped a lot.
“I looked after my dad for the last 11 years after losing my mum, so that brought us a lot closer.
“He used to go to Fairhaven Lake nearly every Sunday with my mum and when Cecily (White, Bereavement and Donation Specialist Nurse) mentioned about getting a stone (for the memorial garden) I thought that would be a good place to go and get it.
"So me and my brother went one weekend, on what would have been his 100th birthday, the 21st of August, but it was pouring with rain! My brother found the stone, gave it to me, and we’ve done the stone with his birthday, to when we lost him, with his name on it. I’m looking forward to that, and sending a photo to my brothers, so they can see it too.”
