The daughter of an “amazing and beautiful” mum has praised Ashgate Hospice ahead of Mother’s Day for making “such a difficult time that little more bearable” during her final days.

Dawn Hamilton, from Chesterfield, was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in June 2015 and later given the all-clear following a successful operation.  

Sadly, the cancer returned in January 2016 – at which point doctors told her family the devastating news that her illness was incurable. 

Months later, Dawn was admitted to Ashgate Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Old Brampton, where she would spend the final weeks of her life, before her death on 14th April 2016, aged just 44.  

Her daughter, Amy Smith, who is sharing her story ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 30 March – just a couple of weeks before the anniversary of Dawn’s death, said the hospice did “everything we could have asked for and more”. 

“Mum was the most loveable, amazing and beautiful woman,” said 30-year-old Amy. 

“Anyone who knew mum just adored her and her infectious cackle of a laugh. We truly lost one of the best and not a day has been the same since. 

“We weren’t able to do anything for Mother’s Day because mum was too unwell by then, but she was so, so strong, determined and didn’t stop smiling until her very last day.” 

Dawn, who worked as a mobility specialist at Autoworld in Chesterfield, had three children, Amy, Ben and Jack.  

Amy said despite her mum’s first operation leaving her unable to eat or speak like she could before, she continued to “be positive and joke around like her usual self”. 

Dawn’s second operation, which took place before she was told there would be no cure for the cancer, “broke the whole family”, Amy said. 

“Life changed so much after mum’s diagnosis,” said Amy. “The uncertainty of everything when she was first diagnosed was torture for us as a family.  

“Then we had the relief of knowing mum is going to be okay, to then being told mum had months or weeks left to live. 

“We were all a little apprehensive about the hospice at first, mum was certain she wanted end of life treatment at home.  

“But soon after being in the hospice mum felt comfortable and made the decision her final weeks would be spent under their care.” 

Amy, who works as a carer and teaching assistant with children who have special educational needs, added: “The care both mum and us as a family received was more than we could’ve asked for.  

“The staff were so caring towards us all, regularly checking and giving any support we needed before and after mum had passed away.  

“Such a hard time in our lives was made that little more bearable because of the hospice and the staff.” 

In tribute to her mum, Amy and her family have come together each year to take on the hospice’s popular Sparkle Night Walk, and plan to do so again for the 10th anniversary this summer, sponsored by Magpie Beauty.  

She is encouraging people to take advantage of Ashgate’s early bird offer for the event, with entry available for just £12 until Sunday 6 April. 

When the early bird offer ends, the price of entry for the event starting at Chesterfield Football Club on Saturday 28 June will increase to £20 per person.  

Amy said: “After mum died, we wanted to do our bit to give back to the hospice; I’m hoping to build up the courage to do a skydive for Ashgate and we do the Sparkle Night Walk together yearly. 

“I’m looking forward to coming together to remember mum at Sparkle again this year, it’s a great way to come together while raising some important funds for the hospice.” 

Find out more about how you can get your hands on reduced entry for Ashgate Hospice’s Sparkle Night Walk before the end of the early bird deadline.