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The powerful story of a friendship formed through visits to East Cheshire Hospice features in the charity’s new appeal.
Linda Picken-Broom and Jean Marshall first met there when their husbands, Alan and David, were referred from hospital with pulmonary fibrosis.
The wives’ journey from complete strangers to close friends is told in More Good Days, a campaign highlighting the services of the Sunflower Living Well Centre.
The two women hope that sharing their personal insights will help raise funds for the Hospice.
Both admit they would not have coped without the Sunflower Centre which gave Alan and David emotional support, confidence and connection.
More Good Days Pic 1 – Linda Picken-Broom (left) and Jean Marshall.
It also gave their wives something neither expected – a lasting friendship as they navigate life after loss, knowing they are not alone.
They met in 2024 when dropping off their husbands for their weekly course about fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness.
Alan and David quickly overcame initial reservations. They also took part in a wellbeing programme, getting far more out of the services than they expected.
More Good Days Pic 2 – Linda with husband Alan.
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.
More Good Days Pic 3 – Jean and husband David.
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.” * To donate visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/more-good-day