The inspiration
Graham’s father Norman was just 58 when he died of cancer. But the support of St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham helped manage his pain in his final year and allowed him to spend his last Christmas where he wanted to be – at home with his family. He died peacefully at the hospice soon after telling Graham, “I want you to find a purpose in this.”
When his mother Ellen died just four years later from a brain haemorrhage, Graham was struck by the cold, impersonal care she received. The difference between his parents’ care fuelled him into looking into improving care for patients and families.
He wanted to set up hospice care in his own community, Dartford.
Focused on providing compassionate care at home and family support, Graham and his siblings apportioned some of their inheritance as well as some funding and grants towards setting up The Ellenor Foundation.
- £21,967 – The Ellenor Foundation’s expenditure in its first year
- £9.6m – ellenor’s budget for 2025: Equivalent to £28,600 per day.
The Angels of ellenor
ellenor’s first advert to recruit volunteers ran in the Dartford Times and read, “…they must be willing to run errands, clean up messes, do laundry, take care of children, fit double-glazing, clear out lofts, sit quietly, hug often, be able to laugh, cry, hold a hand, soothe a brow, know when to speak and when to stay silent. Above all, they must know how to care. P.S. Only angels need apply!!”
Thirty-two volunteers were recruited from the angels advert!
