People often think that a hospice is a place when people go to spend their final days, but Peace Hospice Care not only got one of its patients back on her feet, but back in her classic sports car.

Watford woman Margaret Mitchell-Jubb has a brain tumour and suffers from a progressive neurological condition.

This means she now finds swallowing impossible and used to inhale food and drink into her lungs, which meant she often suffered from pneumonia.

After several periods in hospital, she and her husband Peter were referred to Peace Hospice Care’s inpatient unit in February 2014 and again in May 2016 for respite care.

Peter said: “Due to her illness and after being in bed for such a long amount of time, Margaret couldn’t stand or walk, which meant that it was harder for me to care for her.

"Whilst in the inpatient unit, she has received intensive physiotherapy to strengthen her legs, which has meant that Margaret can now stand on her own and even walk for a short distance; we didn’t think that this was even a possibility before.

“The care at Peace Hospice Care has been fantastic and the staff even gave me the chance to surprise Margaret. I had her old Triumph Spitfire fully restored and refurbished but I didn’t think she would be able to ride in it again.

"However, with the help of the staff at the Hospice, we got her in and I was able to take her for a drive. We’ve both had such amazing support!”

Watford Observer:

Margaret said: “I didn’t know about the car until I saw it in the hospice’s car park. It looked so good and I loved being in my car again, but I had forgotten how low it was.

“There’s no place like Peace Hospice Care; it has been a home away from home for me. I have received exemplary care from all the staff; they have been very attentive to all my needs. Whilst I have been here the rehabilitation team have worked with me every day and not only have they helped me to walk again, but they have also increased my confidence.”

Peace Hospice Care provides free care and support for individuals, families and carers, across Hertfordshire facing a life-limiting illness through their inpatient unit, Starlight Centre and community services.

Margaret attended the hospice’s Starlight Centre, where people can go for day care, for counselling for a number of years. Peter said: “Margaret used to go to the day care session on Wednesdays and Feel Good Friday. It was a chance for her to socialise and receive various therapies.”

Due to the support, treatment and care given to Margaret by Peace Hospice Care, she is now seen to have rehabilitation potential, which was not thought to be possible before. The physiotherapy team at the hospice have referred her to a rehabilitation centre where she can continue with her treatment.

To continue providing this level of specialised care, Peace Hospice Care relies on the generosity of the community. Every year, the charity needs £5 million to run and develop their services, however only 23 per cent of their funding comes from the NHS.

This year, the Watford Observer and Peace Hospice Care have been running the Every Day Matters appeal, which will contribute to their nurses’ wages and help the hospice continue to provide outstanding care to the Hertfordshire community. To donate to the appeal please call 01923330340, text PEAC25 £+amount to 70070 or click on the donate button on their website www.peacehospice.org.uk