An Introduction To Butterwick Hospice Care
Mary Butterwick OBE, lost her husband John to cancer in March 1979. At that time there was no support network in the North East for those suffering from life limiting illnesses and no real advice and support for the family they left behind.
Mary found John's loss very hard to bear. A mother of 4 children she had to support her family and try to see a way forward for herself.
A diagnosis of a life limiting illness changes everything, moves all the parameters in your life and the lives of those around you. Mary believed there had to be a better way to help families in a similar situation.
Working as a volunteer in her local hospital taught Mary a lot about the needs of terminally ill patients and a visit to the new St Christopher's Hospice that had opened in London - the first of its kind - showed Mary a much better way to care for not only the patient but also those close to them.
The Hospice movement intended to be there for people who needed support. Giving guidance, listening and explaining, supporting the patient and their family. That was what Mary wanted to provide.
She gathered her friends around her, explained her plans, studied hard and sold her own home to raise much needed funds and in January 1984 Mary opened the first Palliative Day Care Centre in Stockton on Tees. The rest, as they say, is history. Through tireless fundraising and the building of a team of dedicated staff and volunteers to help realise her dream Butterwick has grown into a regional provider of Hospice care.
Today Butterwick Hospice Care helps up to 200 patients and their families each day. Now expanded into a purpose built hospice in Stockton on Tees and another Hospice in Bishop Auckland from where the organisation provides services throughout the North Tees and Durham Dales PCT areas.
October 1998 saw the opening of Butterwick House Children's Hospice which provides care and support to families across the North East.
Mary is now semi retired but still a very popular figure throughout the North East. Now in her 83rd year she still brings comfort to patients and their families in her regular visits to the Hospice in Stockton.
