14 Feb 2025 Patient and Family Stories

Love, Loss, and The Kirkwood: How a Hospice Gave Richard and Anne a Second Chance of happiness

On 15th April 2025, Richard and Anne Hampson will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary—a milestone they never imagined reaching after the heartbreak of losing their first spouses. Their love story is one born from loss, grief, and the compassionate care of The Kirkwood, a hospice that provided them both with the support they desperately needed at the most difficult time of their lives.

In 1991, both Anne and Richard found their worlds turned upside down. Anne's husband, John Hepworth, and Richard's wife, Nancy, were both 42 years old when they lost their battles with cancer, passing away only months apart.

For Anne, The Kirkwood was a lifesaver during John's illness. "My husband was a day patient there when he had cancer. He died at home." she recalls. 

The hospice, still in its early years, provided John with care, comfort, and dignity in his final months. "John enjoyed going. He used to go every Wednesday to daycare. The daycare programme with The Kirkwood was incredible. It wasn’t just about medical care; it was about quality of life. They made sure the patients had a full day of activities, drawing, relaxation, even aromatherapy. There was always something happening. They weren’t just treating the illness; they were looking after the person as a whole. It was a place where John felt cared for and valued."

Meanwhile, Richard watched helplessly as his wife Nancy battled breast cancer. When she was transferred from St. James’s Hospital to The Kirkwood, he witnessed first hand the level of care the hospice provided. "The Kirkwood were absolutely marvellous. Within two hours they got her pain under control. The support I had from them after was unbelievable. They didn’t just forget about me once she was gone; they were there for me, helping me through my grief."

Alone and grieving, both Anne and Richard found comfort in The Kirkwood’s bereavement support group, where they met others who had lost loved ones. Anne was hesitant at first: "I had one-to-one counselling for a long time. I didn’t feel ready for the group." Eventually, she decided to join and quickly realised she was not alone: "Once you get there, you realise you’re not alone. Everyone in that room understood my pain because they had experienced something similar. It was a relief to be surrounded by people who truly got it."

Richard, too, found great support through the group. Over time, the members formed a close knit bond, offering each other strength and encouragement. "Through the walking group we greated out of the bereavement group, I asked everybody’s permission to make a list of phone numbers and addresses. If anyone needed to talk, they could just pick a number and call. That helped a lot of us process our grief."

The group wasn’t just about coping, it was about living again. Members started a walking group and held monthly social outings, gradually rebuilding their lives. It was within this group that Richard and Anne’s friendship deepened into something more.

During a Christmas bereavement walk, Richard and Anne found themselves walking side by side. When they reached a stile, Richard offered his hand to help Anne over it. What happened next was completely unexpected: "Five minutes later, we were still holding hands." Richard recalled.

It was a small, fleeting moment, but one that carried deep significance. Both had spent so long immersed in grief that they had never considered love again. But in that quiet moment, something changed. "We got back and went for something to eat. Neither of us could eat our meal," Richard remembers with a smile.

By January 1993, they were officially a couple. Two years later, in April 1995, they married in front of family and friends, celebrating their love. Richard was 49, Anne was 47 and both of them were ready to start a new chapter.

“We both feel as though we’ve been very lucky,” Anne says. “Had we not met like we did, we’d probably both still be on our own.”

As well as Richard and Anne, six other group members eventually found happiness again between each other as four marriages including Richard and Anne's came out of the bereavement group. 

Richard and Anne never forgot the role The Kirkwood played in their lives. It didn’t just provide care for John and Nancy, it gave Anne and Richard a second chance at happiness. In gratitude, they dedicated themselves to supporting the hospice.

Richard has completed the London Marathon twice, raising funds for The Kirkwood. He also organised a fundraising concert, where performers gave their time for free to help raise money. Together, Anne and Richard have taken part in countless raffles, Light Up a Life events, and local fundraisers.

Their motivation is simple: "You don’t get the same service in a hospital," Richard explains. "Hospitals do their best, but they simply don’t have the time or resources to provide the level of care The Kirkwood does."

Despite its vital role in the community, The Kirkwood is facing severe financial difficulties. Staff redundancies and service reductions threaten the future of the hospice, something Anne and Richard find deeply upsetting.

“I am very upset about it,” Anne says. “I really do think that the government should be funding the hospice more because it’s so needed. It shouldn’t be left to just donations. If you’re going to lose staff, you’re not going to be able to give the same services.”

Richard agrees: "It’s shocking. That’s why we made a suggestion at our church about sharing some of the funds. £800 we know it’s a drop in the ocean, but every little bit helps."

They worry about what will happen to future families who need support. "Hospices like The Kirkwood take a huge burden off the NHS," Richard explains. "Once they’re gone, they’re gone. They don’t just spring back up."

Even now, Richard and Anne continue to raise money in whatever ways they can. "Even the £36 from the raffle today, that goes towards medication and meals for patients, It all counts." Richard says. 

As their 30th anniversary approaches, Anne and Richard reflect on the journey that brought them together. Though their story began with profound grief, The Kirkwood helped them find healing, hope, and love.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t talk about John and Nancy,” Anne says. “We’ve never forgotten them. They were a part of our lives, just as The Kirkwood is.”

As they celebrate this milestone, Richard and Anne remain dedicated to fighting for the future of the hospice that changed their lives. For them, The Kirkwood is not just a place, it’s the reason they found love again. And for them that is something worth saving.

The Kirkwood will always believe in love, life and the power to be a positive influence in people's lives even in their darkest moments. Richard and Nancy's story really does optimise our ethos we SUPPORT LIFE! 

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