Southwark (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Southwark families are supporting St Christopher’s festive appeal, sharing emotional stories of care, including a mother’s final Christmas made possible by the hospice.
According to Allen Mills, his mother Susan, 66, was brought to the hospice’s inpatient ward in late November 2024 because the family thought she might not have much time left. Rather, she lived for six weeks, which allowed her to enjoy Christmas Day with her three kids and husband.
“She was a strong, stubborn, loving woman,”
Allen says.
“She had been told she was dying more than once, and she just refused to accept it. Mam was great at everything… except for dying. She always kept fighting.”
Susan, a residentof Peckham, Southwark, was originally diagnosed with cancer in 2003. The illness went into absolution twice before coming back. Before going to the inpatient facility, where she passed away soon after Christmas, the hospice’s community team helped her at home.
In the hospice café, where staff and volunteers worked to make the day as normal and happy as possible, the Mills family was able to have a complete Christmas meal together.
“It was joyous, really, that we were able to spend Christmas Day together. She looked fantastic, she had a lot more energy about her. We didn’t do presents; the present was mum being with us. I’m always quite happy talking about it because it was a nice day, and we might not have had that without St Christopher’s,”
said Allen.
Susan had an alternate dinner with her family because she loved her celebratory feast so much.
Allen Mills confided workers for their kindness and commitment, particularly over the Christmas season when numerous are separated from their own families.
“It must be tough for the staff working over Christmas, especially being away from their families and seeing other people enjoying their Christmases in a very different environment, but they were first class,”
said Allen.
There are 1,000 volunteers and more than 500 employees at St. Christopher’s Hospice. At any given time, they often look after more than 1,800 individuals.
In order to help other families in creating enduring recollections at the lodge, Allen is contributing to St. Christopher’s Christmas Appeal.
In September 2025, Allen finished a 283- mile bike lift from London to Versailles after seeing a billboard for a fundraising challenge on Christmas Day. Together with musketeers Gavin, Paul, and James, he raised over£ 11,000 in honor of his mother.
Supporting those impacted by the loss and assisting individuals in leading fulfilling lives until death are two of St. Christopher’s Hospice’s objectives. In their ideal world, those who are nearing the end of their lives would have access to fair care and assistance whenever and wherever they require it.
What services does St Christopher’s Hospice provide in Southwark?
St Christopher’s lodge in Southwark provides a comprehensive range of specialist palliative care and support services free of charge to grown-ups with life- limiting ails. Outpatient care at their Sydenham unit, offering expert medical and nursing care in a compassionate terrain.
Community palliative care to support cases in living well at home, with care brigades visiting cases in their own homes or inpatient settings. Inpatient movables and day services at the lodge and the Anniversary Centre.
Community enterprise like compassionate neighbors, support groups, and community- powered programs that give social and emotional support. Education and exploration programs aimed at perfecting palliative care quality.
These services aim to give holistic care concentrated on symptom operation, emotional support, quality, and quality of life for cases and their families from Southwark and girding megalopolises.
