A COUPLE found love after loss thanks to the help of a hospice.

Mike Leech and Pauline McCabe-Leech, met at a coffee morning after turning to St Richard's Hospice when their partners died.

Mrs McCabe-Leech, 74, said: “St Richard’s was a huge source of support and comfort both during our partners’ illnesses and during the grieving process.

“The chance to meet others who have experienced similar losses is invaluable and, in our case, led to a firm friendship and then something really special.”

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Mr Leech, 69, said: “After meeting at the hospice, you could say it played a part every step of the way; as we even had our first date at the St Richard’s Snowdrops coffee shop on St Swithin’s Street in Worcester.

“And we must have built a firm foundation as we’re still enjoying every day together, despite having spent much of our first year of married life in lockdown.”

The couple's love story came to light when they donated the hospice’s Lights of Love campaign, which encourages people to celebrate and remember a loved one by dedicating a light at the St Andrew’s Spire Christmas tree.

Hospice fundraising administrator, Emma Price, took the call from Mr Leech and Mrs McCabe-Leech and was touched to hear how St Richard’s had helped them and their former partners.

She said: “Our Lights of Love campaign is very much a celebration of both those things so Mike and Pauline’s story struck a particular chord for me.

"After their respective partners died they turned to St Richard’s to help find the light again but the added bonus was to find love too. It’s such a wonderful and hopeful story in what hasn’t felt like the most hopeful of years.”

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The couple, both from Malvern, lost their partners in 2014 and 2015. The eventually married in October 2019.

As the hospice is unable to hold its usual events in the community to celebrate Lights of Love, St Richard’s has invited supporters to watch a recorded service on its website this year, led by the hospice chaplain and featuring readings from other members of the hospice team.

Lights of Love can be dedicated until 5pm on Wednesday, December 16 on the charity’s website at: strichards.org.uk/lights-of-love-2/

St Richard’s cares for people with a serious progressive illness who have complex needs which cannot be met by other services.