A WOMAN who lost her husband and son on the same day, eight years apart, has helped a hospice launch its Christmas appeal.

Linda Wilson, of Margeth Road, Billericay, lost her son Tony, 35, seven months ago following a five year battle with a brain tumour.

He spent the weeks leading up to his death, on Friday, April 10, being cared for at St Luke's Hospice, Basildon.

Her grief on was magnified as memories came flooding back to the very same day in 2007.

Alan, her husband and Tony's father, also passed away at the hospice after a battle with bowel cancer.

Mrs Wilson said her grandchildren, seven-year-old Evie and five-year-old Tom, are beginning to adjust to life without their beloved father.

She said: “They often talk about their daddy and the time spent at the hospice, which I am sure has helped them to cope.

“As a family we have been given so much support and guidance from the hospice, and we've been taught how to answer questions from the children with confidence.

"St Luke’s has been such a huge part of our lives right from when Alan was there, through to when Tony stayed at the hospice. Nobody really knows when a hospice could come into their lives, so it’s important places such as St Luke’s get as much help as possible.

“We’re so grateful and can’t thank everyone enough for their support’’.

St Luke's runs a range of services, including hospice at home, complementary therapy, and one response, an advice line operating round-the-clock.

The hospice also runs a day centre at its Fobbing Farm site, in Nethermayne.

Its annual Christmas appeal is a financial lifeline.

During late November and throughout December a total of 130,000 homes and businesses in Basildon and Thurrock will receive a freepost envelope through the door.

Residents will be asked to donate whatever they can to the hospice, which is celebrating a landmark anniversary.

Marilyn DeBattista, head of revenue development at St Luke's, is hoping for a strong response from the public.

She said: ‘’This year St Luke’s has been caring for people for 25 years. During those years the hospice has expanded and developed services, to support an increasing number of local people.

“Public donations have always been a key part in the successful development of St Luke’s, and it is only with compassionate support from the public that we can continue to make a difference. St Luke’s is very grateful, and thanks everyone in our community for their support.

“Our hope is that people will remember St Luke’s at this special time of giving, and help us with a donation, especially as we draw a close to our special 25th anniversary year.’’