Anne has signed up to volunteer at Big Brum Bucket as a thank you for the care and support her sister-in-law Allison and her family received from Birmingham Hospice at the end of Allison’s life.
“I met Allison in sixth form” Anne recalls. “I’m terrible at maths and she failed maths – so we ended up in the same class. I always say to my children if they are terrible at something, it might turn out to be a blessing.
Anne (L) and Allison (R) as teenagers
“She met my brother through me. She called the house phone one day and said: ‘I’m not calling to speak to you – I’m calling to speak to your brother.’ I was okay with it but I did make it clear if it didn’t work out, she would still be my best friend,” Anne laughs. “So it was a real added bonus that she ended up being my sister-in-law.”
Allison was a Staff Sister and ran the COVID-19 ward at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Describing her caring nature, Anne said: “She was like Mother Earth – she was just built to be a nurse, she scooped people up and looked after everyone.
“If my children had a scratch, she’d rummage around in her handbag to find something to put on it. If someone collapsed in the street, she’d step in. She kept adopting animals that needed a home and ended up with four rescue dogs!”
However, in 2022, Allison became ill and was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.
Allison
As a medical professional, she understood what would happen as her illness progressed and decided she wanted to be cared for in a hospice at the end of her life. She knew the hospice would be best equipped to meet her needs and would take the pressure off her family.
While at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Allison was told she did not have long left and was transferred to the Inpatient Unit at Selly Park.
Anne recalls: “She was in a lovely room that overlooked the garden, and within a day of arriving there, the old Allison came back as her pain was under control.
“She was so well cared for – she felt like it was her own family caring for her.”
Although Allison was initially thought to have only a few days left, she spent three weeks at the hospice.
“It was lovely that she was more herself during those final weeks and could spend precious times with her husband and daughters.” Anne said.
Since Allison’s death, Anne has continued to support Birmingham Hospice through fundraising activities including dog walking in exchange for donations and taking part in events.
Explaining why she’s signed up to volunteer at Big Brum Bucket this July, Anne said: “Family life is so busy, I can’t guarantee my time at the moment, but I can find a few hours for Big Brum Bucket.
Anne at Big Brum Bucket in 2025
“Everyone’s lives are so busy, but volunteering for Big Brum Bucket isn’t a huge commitment. Last year I really enjoyed talking about my experience of the hospice, the work they do and how they help people.”
Big Brum Bucket is Birmingham Hospice’s annual cash collection and will take place across the city on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July 2026.
To find out more about Big Brum Bucket and how you can sign up to volunteer click here
