Caitlin and her family are preparing for their second Christmas without her mum Tracey, who died of bowel cancer in August 2022 aged 55. Caitlin said:

"We spent last Christmas – our first without Mum – at my sister Cherry’s house. We didn’t want to spend the day at home. It would have felt too empty without Mum here.

"Mum would have wanted more than anything to have been there. We took her ashes, which are in a wooden box with her name on it, with us to Cherry’s and placed them on a little table. She liked Tia Maria and Coke, so we each had a drink in her memory, and left one for her on the table with some flowers.

"Over the course of the day we talked about Mum. It was very emotional and we all cried because she wasn’t there.

"Christmas for us now means remembering all the wonderful times spent with Mum, opening presents and listening to our favourite Christmas hits. For those receiving hospice care from St Helena, the festive season can be a poignant reminder of the limited time they have left."

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