A brave patient living with brain tumours celebrated a truly memorable 45th birthday after Birmingham Hospice threw a party in his honour.
Caring staff wanted to do something special for Craig Liggitt, who had been admitted to our Inpatient Unit (IPU) for symptom control.
surrounded by Birmingham Hospice’s
Hospice at Home Team, who threw him a
special 45th birthday party.
The Hospice at Home team had built a strong relationship with Craig and parents, Chris and Bill, after supporting them previously, so pulled out all the stops to guarantee a birthday he would never forget.
They organised refreshments, music, decorations and fun games for the event which took place in the IPU conservatory.
They even wore Aston Villa gear and t-shirts featuring rapper Tupac Shakur in recognition of his favourite team and rapper.
Volunteer Charlie Marston serenaded Craig and his family on the ukelele and took requests.
“The party was wonderful, and it surpassed our expectations. The hospice has gone out of its way to ensure Craig enjoyed a really special birthday,” said mum Chris.
“Everything that the hospice has done for us has been amazing and the girls from Hospice at Home have been superb.
“They’re angels and they love Craig; after everything they have done for us they will be forever part of our family.”
Jessica Horabin, who is a Sister for Hospice at Home, also wrote to famous Aston Villa fan, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, about Craig’s bravery and his birthday. Both of them received letters back wishing Craig had a lovely birthday and thanking her for her correspondence.
Craig has bravely battled brain tumours throughout his life. He was first diagnosed aged 21 and successfully recovered from surgery to remove it.
In 2021, doctors discovered one had grown on his spine and three tumours then developed on his brain, which left him unable to walk and caused short term memory problems and a bleed on his brain.
Chris and Bill struggled to find specialist care until they were referred to the Hospice at Home team, who provided the support they desperately required.
Jessica said: “Craig is a truly inspirational character with the most wonderful sense of humour, and is loved by all who are fortunate enough to meet him.
“His birthday was a real focus for him and his family, and we wanted to make it memorable, so we embraced everything that was important to him.”
At Birmingham Hospice provide vital end of life and palliative care for those with terminal conditions, if you would like to support our work by making a donation please click here.
