A widow who asked her loved ones for birthday donations to Ashgate Hospice in tribute to the end of life care her husband received is encouraging others to do the same. 

Liz Johnson, who turned 60 in June, celebrated the milestone birthday by asking her friends to make donations in lieu of gifts to the charity where she used to volunteer. 

She organised her party at the Shirebrook Miners Welfare club and her guests helped her raise £560 towards the hospice’s care.  

Liz, who is now receiving cancer treatment herself, started volunteering at the hospice’s Bolsover shop after her husband, Mark Johnson, was cared for on the hospice’s Inpatient Unit.  

She said the support her family received was “unbelievable”. 

“I’m on weekly chemo so I wanted to have an early birthday before I get more poorly,” said Liz, from Bolsover. 

“We had 100 friends, family and colleagues at the party, and I asked people to make donations instead of giving me presents. 

“Everyone was so generous; we were delighted with how much we raised. The care Mark received was unbelievable, so we’ve done what we can to help support Ashgate since he died.” 

Mark, who was married to Liz for 36 years, was diagnosed with cancer in his tonsils in August 2018 before the disease spread to his lungs. 

He was admitted to the hospice on 20th March, the day of the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, before his death on 1st April, aged 58.  

Just months later in June, sadly Liz was told she had breast cancer for the second time, having previously been diagnosed in 2015. 

The cancer has since spread to her spine, and she has been receiving regular chemotherapy treatment since October last year.  

“My husband was lovely and very intelligent,” added Liz. “He was quieter than me, but opposites obviously attract! 

“The hospice did everything for him, they even brought a drinks trolley around for the patients to have a tipple.  

“I managed to volunteer at Bolsover for about 18 months, but the cancer spread, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. 

“It was lovely to see the team at my birthday party. They all came along and made a donation. 

“I’d encourage other people thinking of having a birthday fundraiser for Ashgate to go for it. I much prefer giving than taking from people, so it made sense for me!” 

Supporters helped raised £27,328 for people living with a life-limiting illness when celebrating a birthday or anniversary in the 12 months to April 2024. 

Find out how you can do the same on the hospice’s website. 

Ashgate Hospice is backing Hospice UK’s campaign for fairer funding for hospices and is urging the public to write to their MP and show them how much hospice care matters. 

Find out more about the campaign on the hospice’s website.