East Cheshire Hospice's summer appeal features two wives who met through visits to the charity.

The More Good Days campaign explains how Linda Picken-Broom and Jean Marshall became friends when husbands, Alan and David, were referred from hospital with pulmonary fibrosis.

The charity's Sunflower Living Well Centre gave the men emotional support, confidence and connection.

It also gave the two women something neither expected - a lasting friendship as they navigate life after loss, knowing they are not alone.

The hospice hopes their story – told in a mailing to 6,000 households and shared on social media – could help raise funds for the Sunflower Living Well Centre which receives no NHS funding.

Sian Henderson, manager of the Sunflower Living Well Centre, said: "When someone is told they have a life-limiting illness, it can feel like everything changes overnight.

"The future may suddenly feel uncertain, confidence may disappear and everyday life may become overwhelming and harder to navigate.

"However, at the Sunflower Centre, something special happens. People can begin to have more good days again.

"It is where patients, their families and carers, find the support they need to live well after diagnosis.

"From therapies to enhance wellbeing, to practical advice and emotional support, the centre helps people to rebuild confidence and find a safety net they may not know they needed."

Linda, from Congleton, and Jean from Goostrey met in 2024 when dropping off their husbands for their weekly course to improve fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness.

Alan and David quickly overcame initial reservations. A wellbeing programme also gave them far more from the services than they expected.

David, a metallurgist with Bodycote in Macclesfield, died in January, aged 83.

Jean said: "The centre quickly became something to look forward to every week. We viewed it as a second home. On a Tuesday, David was up and ready early, eager to go.

"The two men clicked. They were like two naughty schoolboys in a class."

Alan, a telecommunications specialist, was a keen marathon runner and deep-sea diver. He died a year ago, aged 81.

While the men were together, their wives talked about fears, frustrations and the realities of caring for someone with a life-limiting illness.

Linda said: "Alan used every service the Hospice could offer – the Sunflower Centre, the in-patient unit and on his last night Hospice @Home. It was his wish to die at home.

"From the day Alan died, Jean messaged me every day. Our friendship wouldn't have happened without the centre."

Likewise, the text messages of support from Linda to Jean were just as frequent when she lost David six months later.

Linda said: "I always say they taught him to live while he was dying."

The women also found support. Linda received complementary therapies to help her unwind and pre-bereavement counselling to prepare for what was coming.

Jean was supported with massage and wellbeing sessions that helped her process everything she was facing.

Jean said: "The Sunflower Centre is like a club you belong to."

Proceeds from the More Good Days appeal could help maintain these essential services.

To donate, visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/more-good-days.

___________________________________________

Macclesfield Nub News is proud to be partnered with East Cheshire Hospice.

Support from local organisations such as them helps us keep our local news free and easy-to-read.

If you own a local business and would like to sponsor us, get in touch at [email protected].