Love is in the air

The hospice was full of love this week as one of our patients proposed to his long term girlfriend with a ring he had fashioned from a paper tissue.

Eddie Jump (61), from Bootle, asked his girlfriend Dot Mackenzie (56), from Netherton, to marry him from his bed in the hospice, where he has lived since November.

The hospice team immediately set to work to make them a special engagement cake to help them to celebrate to occasion.

The couple met seven years ago at a valentine’s party which was held at the pub that Eddie used to own, The Alex in Marsh Lane, Bootle.

Dot says that their eyes met over a crowded bar and they have been together ever since: “I was a carer in Lytham but I had the day off and a friend of mine who worked in the pub invited me along to the party. When I saw Eddie, it was as if our eyes locked on each other. The rest, as they say, is history.”

After proposing, Eddie called Dot’s son, Mikey, to ask his permission. He also gave Dot’s daughter, Libby, the important job of taking her shopping for a real ring.

Dot said: “The staff at the hospice have been so amazing and take such good care of us both. The nurses, carers, cooks and cleaners are all brilliant.

“It was so kind of the hospice cooks to bake us a cake. It meant so much to us both and just sums up how kind and loving everyone is at the hospice. They made our special moment even more special.”

Clare Waller, Clinical Director at the hospice, said: “We were delighted to hear about Eddie’s proposal. They are a lovely couple and our nurses, carers and the rest of the team here were all so pleased to be able to help them celebrate this special occasion.”

The happy couple Eddie and Dot celebrate their engagement with a cake made for them by the hospice staff.