A happy occasion: patient’s grandsons are christened at hospice

When Paula, who is being cared for on the Inpatient Unit at Thames Hospice in Berkshire said she wished to see her two grandsons christened, hospice staff happily obliged.  

Paula, aged 53, is terminally ill, and after initial plans to have the christening in July 2020 were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, she didn’t think she would see it happen. “I don’t know how long I have left now so seeing my grandsons christening is one thing I have wished for” she said.

Staff planned the christening meticulously, including taking current coronavirus restrictions into account and administering lateral flow tests for the guests ahead of the service. The service was the very first official event to be hosted at the hospice since the charity moved to its new home last October.

Lisa Church, Director of Nursing at Thames Hospice, said it was an “honour” to host the event. “It was an honour to create such a memorable and magical moment for Paula to witness her grandsons’ christening last Saturday, together with her family and godparents” she said. “The event took some very careful planning but it was wonderful to see the surprise on Paula’s face as she entered the Sanctuary; there wasn’t a dry eye in the room!”

An emotional service

“It was very emotional and I really wasn’t expecting this to happen at the hospice” Paula explained. “No one was telling me what was going on and everyone including the hospice staff were in on the secret. I thought it was going to be a Valentine’s treat or something!”

“I was very taken aback by what everyone has done for me. My grandsons were as good as gold and listened to the Reverend’s every word during the service. I’m so proud of them. It has meant everything to me seeing them get christened.”

Paula’s daughter Rebecca Bailey added: “Since we received the news about mum’s declining health, she thought she wouldn’t be around to see it happen, but with the amazing help and support from Thames Hospice staff, they made it a reality for us all. It really has meant the whole world to mum, and to all of us as a family.”