Vicki’s Feather for Steve

Vicki is dedicating a feather in memory of her husband, Steve — a devoted dad, soulmate and all-round superhero. Through her tribute, she’s honouring a man who lived life fully and loved deeply, and saying thank you to Rotherham Hospice for the care and support that held her family together when everything changed.

“He was amazing. The best husband, father, friend.”

Steve and I had known each other since we were teenagers. We were together for about 18 years, and in that time, we lived more than some people do in a lifetime. Camping trips with the kids, holidays abroad, running marathons and ultras together. It was always about making memories.

One of my favourites is when we went to watch him run his first marathon in Manchester. The boys and I were waiting at mile 17 — most people are struggling by then — and Steve came bouncing towards us with a huge smile, high-fiving us like he was just out for a jog. That was him all over. Competitive, strong, full of life.

Steve was fit and healthy. Two weeks before we found out he was ill, he’d run a 17-mile fell race in the Peaks. We thought he had a stomach ulcer. Then it turned out to be stomach cancer. And just like that, everything changed.

He was only 43.

At first, I didn’t know what a hospice could offer us. I thought hospices were for older people. But when one of the nurses from Rotherham Hospice came to see us at home, I realised how wrong I was. They were honest, kind, and calm. They guided us through everything. They were there, day and night, whenever we needed them.

When his pain medication wore off in the middle of the night and I didn’t know what to do, they were on the other end of the phone. That kind of support doesn’t just help the person who’s ill — it helps the whole family.

What made the biggest difference was the help they gave us in talking to our boys. At the time, they were 10 and 14. We didn’t know how to tell them their dad — their superhero — was going to die. The community team gave us gentle, age-appropriate ways to start that conversation. They gave us materials for the boys to look at and think about. They gave us space to breathe.

They helped me too. Whenever they visited, they made sure to speak to me on my own. There were things Steve didn’t want to say to me because he didn’t want to upset me. And there were things I couldn’t say to him because I didn’t want him to know I was scared. The hospice team became that safe space for both of us.

Afterwards, the support didn’t stop. Our youngest, Matty, went to Sunbeams, which helped him more than I can say. Just being around other children who had lost someone made him feel less alone.

Now, I’m dedicating a feather for Steve. For me, it’s a symbol. Some people say when you lose someone, you look for signs — a robin, a feather, something small that reminds you they’re near. After Steve passed away, I even had a feather tattooed for him. This feels like a natural step. Something solid. Something meaningful.

We’ve got so many happy memories at Wentworth Woodhouse — running together, bringing the kids to see Santa, the reindeers, going to WentFest with his family. So having Steve remembered there feels right. It’s a place we can return to. Somewhere I can bring the kids to remember their dad.

And we won’t just have a feather for Steve. My stepmum, my stepdad, my father-in-law — we’ve lost a lot in the last few years. The idea of having feathers for each of them, placed together in the same place, brings comfort. It’s a personal thing, but also a collective one. A quiet space to feel together.

After we lost Steve, I couldn’t carry on teaching. It just wasn’t feasible with the boys and everything going on. Around the same time, a role came up at the hospice in the fundraising team. It sounds a bit corny, but it felt like it was meant to be.

Now, to be part of the team helping others, speaking to people who’ve gone through it too, feels like where I’m meant to be. I can offer real empathy. And people know it’s coming from an honest place.

What would I say to someone thinking of dedicating a feather? Do it. It’s personal. It’s yours. You can come in your own time, bring your family, sit with it, or just know it’s there.

For me, it’s meaningful. And for our family, it’s everything.

The stainless steel feather you can dedicate to a loved one with the feather appeal, sat amongst blue flowers in the Rotherham Hospice garden.

Dedicate a feather in our meadow of memories for your loved one

This summer, we invite you to dedicate a feather in memory of someone you love. As part of our Feather Appeal, hundreds of beautiful steel feathers will come together in the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse, creating a powerful and peaceful tribute — a Meadow of Memories.

Each feather tells a story. Each one holds a wish. By dedicating a feather, you’ll honour their memory in a truly meaningful way, while helping Rotherham Hospice continue to add more life to every day for patients and families in our care.

Dedicate a feather

John’s Feather for Denise

John is dedicating a feather in memory of his wife, Denise — a kind, strong and loving woman who meant the world to her family. For John, the feather is a symbol of the memories they shared and the care they received when they needed it most. Now an ambassador for Rotherham Hospice, John continues to honour Denise by helping others understand what hospice care really means.

“She was special in so many ways.”

Denise was a great daughter, a great sister, a great mother, and a great wife. She was kind, full of love, and a fighter right to the very end.

One of my favourite memories is of us in my granddad’s caravan at Linton, with our daughter Jessica. Just the three of us, together. That’s what Denise was about. Family, laughter, love.

When she became ill, Rotherham Hospice was there for all of us, not just for Denise. They gave us something we’ll never forget. They took the pressure off, so we could spend time as a family. We weren’t rushing around trying to manage everything. We were just able to be with her.

The hospice team supported us day and night. That meant everything, especially for Jessica, who was only eight years old at the time. She needed calm. She needed to feel safe. And the hospice helped us give her that.

I’m dedicating a feather to Denise so our family never forgets. It’s a simple way to keep her memory alive. The grounds at Wentworth Woodhouse are beautiful and it’s the perfect place for a beautiful person to be remembered. That feather will always remind us of her. It will always feel like she’s close.

What would I say to anyone thinking of donating to the Feather Appeal? Do it. It’s a tribute that lasts. It’s something you can hold onto, especially on the hard days. It’s a way of remembering everything you loved about someone, and knowing they’ll always be with you.

This tribute is for all the memories and all the love we had. Denise gave us so much. This is one way we give back.

I’m proud to now be an ambassador for Rotherham Hospice. When they asked me, I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I knew I had to say yes. As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep sharing what this place means to me. I’ll keep helping where I can.

Every time I come here, I see the same thing. Smiles on the faces of the staff. A warm welcome for everyone. That’s the kind of place it is. And that’s why I’ll always be proud to be part of it.

The stainless steel feather you can dedicate to a loved one with the feather appeal, sat amongst blue flowers in the Rotherham Hospice garden.

Dedicate a feather in our meadow of memories for your loved one

This summer, we invite you to dedicate a feather in memory of someone you love. As part of our Feather Appeal, hundreds of beautiful steel feathers will come together in the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse, creating a powerful and peaceful tribute — a Meadow of Memories.

Each feather tells a story. Each one holds a wish. By dedicating a feather, you’ll honour their memory in a truly meaningful way, while helping Rotherham Hospice continue to add more life to every day for patients and families in our care.

Dedicate a feather

Dee’s Feather for Mavis

Dee is dedicating a feather in memory of her mum, Mavis — a gentle, funny and fiercely loved woman who meant the world to her family. Through her tribute, Dee is keeping Mavis’s memory alive and saying thank you to Rotherham Hospice for the care they gave when it mattered most.

“She was just Mum. And she was everything.”

My mum was a wonderful lady. I know most people say that about their mum, but she really was. She didn’t like being in the spotlight. She was quiet, gentle, and so kind to everyone she met.

She made us laugh all the time, usually without even trying. I’ll never forget the time she thought she needed a passport to go to London. That was Mum. Thoughtful, funny, and just a little bit daft in the best way. She didn’t have big ambitions. She was happiest at home, surrounded by family. But when she needed to, she could absolutely stand her ground.

In the eighties, I ran a fitness class. Mum used to help out on reception, collecting the money. When the class was full, she’d put up the ‘sold out’ sign and deal with the people desperate to get in. She never backed down, even if it was uncomfortable. She was always stronger than she looked.

When Mum became ill, we were devastated. But Rotherham Hospice made such a difference to that part of our journey. They didn’t just look after Mum. They looked after all of us. I remember one day I stepped out of the room, just to get a breath, and someone noticed I was struggling. They sat with me for 20 minutes. Just talked to me. Held my hand. I’ll never forget how safe they made me feel.

That’s what Rotherham Hospice did. They gave us time. They gave us peace. They gave Mum dignity. Without them, I don’t know how we would have coped.

We’ve since dedicated a feather in her memory. It sits in the grounds at Wentworth Woodhouse, which is such a beautiful place. Somewhere I can go and just remember her. The feather means so much to us. It’s a symbol of her presence. A reminder that she’s still with us in some way.

Mum had ten grandchildren. She’s in so many photographs. Her great-grandchildren already recognise her. That means everything. And having a place to go, where she’s honoured, helps us keep her memory alive.

I’d encourage anyone who has lost someone to dedicate a feather. It’s helped us find peace, and it brings comfort knowing she is remembered in such a meaningful way.

Rotherham Hospice gave us so much. This is how we say thank you.

She was just Mum. And to us, she was everything.

The stainless steel feather you can dedicate to a loved one with the feather appeal, sat amongst blue flowers in the Rotherham Hospice garden.

Dedicate a feather in our meadow of memories for your loved one

This summer, we invite you to dedicate a feather in memory of someone you love. As part of our Feather Appeal, hundreds of beautiful steel feathers will come together in the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse, creating a powerful and peaceful tribute — a Meadow of Memories.

Each feather tells a story. Each one holds a wish. By dedicating a feather, you’ll honour their memory in a truly meaningful way, while helping Rotherham Hospice continue to add more life to every day for patients and families in our care.

Dedicate a feather