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Dear Editor
Christmas is a precious time for many families, but even more so for many of your readers who may be cherishing every moment they get to spend with a beloved family member living with a terminal illness.
Marie Curie will be supporting nearly 800 people living with a terminal illness in Scotland over Christmas. Across the UK, more than one million people are expected to be supporting a loved one, while facing the possibility that this could be their last together.
Caring for someone at home can be a very rewarding but also an isolating experience. For some, it will be the first Christmas without their mum, dad, husband, wife or partner, which can also be a very difficult time.
People often say that they don’t know where to turn to and don’t know what help is available to them, which is why I am writing to tell you about our free, confidential Support Line
0800 090 2309
which offers practical information and emotional support about any aspect of terminal illness, as well as offering bereavement support too.
To help everyone who may need us during the festive period, our Support Line will be open from Sunday 24 December – Tuesday 2 January.
Support Line open hours:
24 December (10am-4pm)
25-26 December (10am-2pm)
27-29 December (8am-6pm)
30 December (11am-5pm)
31 December (10am -4pm)
1 January (10am-2pm)
2 January (8am-6pm).
Additionally, our trained Support Line Officers are also on hand to offer support via our online chat service at mariecurie.org.uk/support.
With best wishes,
Eamon O’Kane,
Marie Curie Divisional General Manager Caring Services
Marie Curie Hospice, Glasgow. Balornock Road, Glasgow G21 3US