Leamington and Warwick Trees of Light : Janine's final Christmas shows importance of support for Myton Hospices charity

But what do you do when you’re told you won’t get another Christmas?

This was the heart-breaking reality that hit 41-year-old mum Janine in October 2019, while being cared for at the Myton Hospice inpatient unit in Coventry.

Determined to give Janine and her four-year-old daughter Charlotte festive memories to last a lifetime, their family brought Christmas forward.

If it was going to be their last Christmas together, it was going to be the best one they had ever had.

Carols, decorations and festive jumpers were the order of the day on a chilly but sunny October morning for Janine, her family and friends.

And because no Christmas at Myton could be without a little bit of magic, Myton staff had contacted the at The Phoenix Children’s Foundation to arrange for two of Santa’s reindeer to bring even more Christmas cheer to Janine’s day.

George and Mistletoe quite literally arrived at Coventry Myton Hospice with bells on, to the surprise of the delighted family gathered on the patio outside Janine’s room.

After daughter Charlotte had petted the reindeer and walked them round the hospice gardens, with lots of memorable photos taken, the family went on to enjoy a home-cooked Christmas dinner by Janine’s sister. She even went against her own Christmas dinner etiquette and cooked Yorkshire Puddings!

It was one of the most memorable Christmas celebrations Myton has been a part of.

Janine died in the care of the Coventry Myton inpatient unit a few weeks after that very special Christmas.

By supporting the Rotary Trees of Light you will help the Hospices to continue to be there for people like Janine and her family when they need them most so they can make precious memories.

To remember the name of a loved one, people can complete the coupon attached to the print version of this article and post it with a donation to Kathryn Metcalfe, Trees of Light, The Myton Hospices, Myton Lane, Warwick CV34 6PX.

Donations can also be made online at mytonhospice.org/TreesOfLight