A Derbyshire builder whose “loving” wife received Ashgate Hospice’s care at the end of her life is backing a campaign for fairer funding for UK hospices. 

Kat Moss, from Chesterfield, died on 12 April 2023, aged 43, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer about 20 months before. 

The hairdresser received end of life care from Ashgate’s “amazing” staff and volunteers at its Inpatient Unit in Old Brampton. 

Her husband Tom Moss said his wife was a “truly amazing person”, who was “always laughing and having fun” with friends and family. 

The 46-year-old has joined forces with Ashgate Hospice and Hospice UK to support the latter’s ‘Write to your MP’ campaign. 

The crucial appeal is calling for the new UK Government to invest more in end of life care, so hospices can continue to be there for people like Kat in the future. 

“Everybody loved Kat,” said Tom. “She loved life and was always laughing and having fun. She cared so much for the people close to her and had such an infectious sense of humour.  

“We were all absolutely devastated when we found out Kat had cancer, but she was so brave and kept on smiling when she was receiving treatment. 

“Like many others, we knew people who had been in the hospice and how amazing the care given to them was, but to see it first-hand really was incredible. 

“From the minute Kat arrived the staff were just amazing, making sure she was at ease and as comfortable as possible. She needed a lot of care but nothing was ever too much for the staff.” 

Kat, who worked for the John Nicholas hair salon in Chesterfield and was popular with her colleagues and clients, first visited her doctor after experiencing stomach problems. 

After undergoing scans, she was told she had a large tumour in her bowels in August 2021, and surgeons operated on her the next day. 

Following a biopsy, Kat later received chemotherapy to remove any remaining cancer cells, but sadly in May 2022 she was told the cancer had spread and surgery was no longer possible. 

Kat continued to receive chemotherapy to slow the growth of the disease – meaning she was able to enjoy trips to the seaside, concerts, darts, and races with Tom. 

But complications in hospital meant she was transferred to the hospice on 8 March for end of life care. 

Tom said: “Staff at the hospice always went out of their way to make sure Kat was comfortable and had everything she needed. 

“One of the most important things for her was to spend lots of time with all our family and friends, and being in the hospice meant she could see whoever she wanted whenever she wanted. 

“To be able to spend so much time with Kat meant everything to me and our family. We’ll always be grateful for everything they did for her, and for us.” 

Like other hospices across the UK, only a fraction of Ashgate Hospice’s funding comes from the NHS, which is 31% in Ashgate’s case. 

The hospice relies on families like Tom’s, who, along with an army of Kat’s friends, have raised an incredible £37,000 in Kat’s name since she died.  

With many hospices facing growing financial pressures, Tom hopes others will support the Write to your MP campaign and urge the new government for support.  

“Kat’s care was just so special and that’s why it’s so important to me, Kat’s family and friends, that hospices can keep on running. 

“We do what we can to raise funds for Ashgate because it’s so important that the level of love and care my wife received is available for other families in the future. 

“Please join me in adding your name to Hospice UK’s campaign and help hospices across the country get the funding they need and deserve.”

 Fundraising continues to be the hospice’s most significant source of income, and this year the North Derbyshire hospice must raise £11 million to continue to deliver vital palliative and end of life care and support. 

Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief Executive of Ashgate Hospice, said: “Just as we wouldn’t expect maternity services to rely on donations, it’s necessary now for the UK Government to acknowledge the importance of adequately funding the care at the of a person’s life.  

“Adequate government funding is essential to ensure that every individual receives the necessary care.  

“The impact of limited funds on Ashgate is clear; currently, we can only open 15 out of our 21 beds, leading to waitlists and individuals missing out on the care they deserve.  

“With more secure funding, we could care for more patients, significantly improving their quality of life and end of life experience. 

“By joining with Hospice UK and others, we are collectively advocating for change. Please take a moment to support this vital campaign by writing to your MP.” 

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. 

Will you take a couple of minutes to add your name to the campaign? Find out more about the campaign on the hospice’s website.