Bournemouth’s Marsham Court Hotel will play Santa to a couple facing cancer this Christmas, gifting them for a four-night, full board, festive package, with all the trimmings.
The award-winning hotel in Russell-Cotes Road has joined a host of local businesses which have responded to Dorset Cancer Care Foundation’s (DCCF), Secret Santa appeal.
The appeal, which launched this month (December), asked for help to ensure local people going through cancer treatment enjoy festive treats this Christmas.
The Marsham Court’s managing director Rosie Wallace made a cash donation to the appeal as well as offering the special festive break from 23-27 December, which has been given to Paul Ellis and his wife Gillian.
Mr Ellis, 65, from the New Forest, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June and is halfway through a course of chemotherapy at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s Jigsaw unit.
He said: “Rosie’s offer has been a complete bolt out of the blue, but an absolutely wonderful one.
“My diagnosis knocked us both for six and the last few months have been very tough, especially for Gill as she cares for me.
“The treatment and support we are receiving from the Jigsaw unit has been outstanding though and to receive this lovely treat, the chance to rest and relax and be really spoiled, will be fabulous for us both.”
Paul’s wife Gill, 66, said: “It hasn’t really sunk in that we will be coming to this lovely hotel for Christmas and I think our granddaughter Jasmine will also be over the moon, as Rosie has invited her to come and stay too. We can’t thank her enough.”
Rosie said: “We are well aware of the great work DCCF does for people with cancer locally and are very much looking forward to hosting Paul and Gillian and making sure they enjoy lots of festive food, games, treats and of course a visit from Santa himself.”
Rosie added: “My brothers and I lost our own mum to cancer this year and Christmas without her will be extremely hard.
“She loved this time of year and being surrounded by friends, family and guests. And I know she would have been the first person to welcome the Ellis’s to share our Christmas.”
Pam Jeffries, who helped found Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) in 2012, said: “We are immensely grateful to Rosie and everyone at the Marsham Court for their ongoing support.
She added: “We have also received more than £1000 in donations from Coleman Insurance Brokers, TeamJobs, Colten Care and DWP Housing Partnership, and a host of individuals, and this will be shared between four local families who are coping with cancer this Christmas.”