LOROS Hospice

Andrea Burton, Registered Nurse Associate at LOROS, is taking on the Run Leicester Festival this morning alongside 5000 other runners. Andrea will be running the half marathon to raise vital funds for LOROS Hospice and to support the patients and families she cares for every day at work. Here’s her story.

“If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d be running half marathons and raising money for LOROS Hospice, I would have said, ‘Don’t talk rubbish!’ But this Sunday, I’ll be taking on the Run Leicester half marathon once again, proudly wearing my LOROS vest and raising money for a charity that means so much to me.

My running journey began with a 10 stone weight loss journey. During this journey I discovered a new passion for running, starting couch to 5K in May 2025 and joining a running club. I loved seeing my progress, and before I knew it, I’d signed up for my first Run Leicester half marathon.

In October 2025, I completed my first half marathon in two hours and 18 minutes, raising money for LOROS. The atmosphere and crowds cheering were incredible, and I felt so proud crossing the finish line wearing my LOROS vest.

Since then, I’ve completed more races, including the Rothley 10K, and now run regularly. I've even entered the London Marathon ballot a few times, something I never imagined I'd do! Running has become so much more than exercise. I find it therapeutic, and I always feel better after a run.

The biggest motivation behind my running is LOROS. I've worked at LOROS for over five years, and I absolutely love my job. I'm so proud of what we do here, and I want to do everything I can to support the Hospice and help make sure we're able to care for even more patients and families in the future.

My connection to LOROS goes back much further than my career here. My mother-in-law, Jackie, was cared for at LOROS before she died in 2015. I remember going with Jackie to her chemotherapy appointments, and one day she turned to me and said, "Andrea, you should do this as a job." I've never forgotten those words.

I'd always been interested in end of life care and had wanted to work at LOROS for a long time. I used to work in the community as a Marie Curie nurse, before an opportunity came up at LOROS. I applied, got the job, and I've been here ever since.

I've also gone back to university as an adult to complete my Nursing Associate training, which was a huge challenge, but something I'm incredibly proud of.

For me, working at LOROS isn't just a job. It feels like it’s what I was meant to do.
Every day, I support patients and their families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Sometimes it's about providing care and making someone more comfortable, but so often it's the little things like sitting with someone, listening to them, having a conversation or simply being there to hold their hand.

Recently, I met a patient who was feeling very anxious after arriving at LOROS. I spent some time talking with her and getting to know her. The following day, she called me her guardian angel. She told me that I understood her and that she felt I really 'got' her. To build that connection with someone in such a short space of time is so special.

During my nursing degree, I'd come across a quote that really stayed with me: "Don't count the days, make the days count." I shared it with one of my patients, and at the time I didn't realise just how much it had meant to him.

A few days later, I came onto the ward and he'd had the words printed and laminated above his bed. He later had a canvas made with the quote to hang at home, and his family told me how much it meant to them. The words were even included in his order of service. That experience had such a profound impact on me that I went on to have the quote tattooed on my arm.

It's moments like those that remind me why I do what I do. When people are facing some of the hardest days of their lives, knowing that something you've said or done has made a difference means a lot.

I also wish more people understood what hospice care is really about. People often assume that LOROS is a sad place, or that coming to a hospice means they won't be going home. But that's not always the case. There's so much laughter here and so many special moments. We have fun with our patients, we dress up, we share stories, and we support families as well as the people we're caring for. It's about helping people live as well as they can and making every day count.

That's why fundraising for LOROS is so important to me. I want us to be able to open more beds and continue providing the amazing care that I've seen first hand.
Whenever I'm out running, I wear my LOROS vest with pride. I even tell my patients about the races I'm taking part in, and they love hearing how I'm getting on.

When I line up at the start of the half marathon, I'll be thinking about how far I've come, the patients and families we support every day, and how proud I am to be part of LOROS.”

Tomorrow, LOROS Matron, Michelle Clark, will be taking on her first half marathon at Run Leicester, all to raise vital funds for the hospice.

As Hospice Care Week comes to a close, Michelle's story is a powerful reminder of the dedication of our hospice staff and why continued funding for hospice care is so important.

Having joined LOROS almost three years ago, Michelle oversees our inpatient services and sees first hand the difference our care makes to patients and families every day.

Inspired by fellow LOROS nurses who are also taking on Run Leicester, Michelle has gone from running 5K at parkrun to preparing for tomorrow's 13.1-mile challenge.

Michelle said: "Seeing some of our other nurses at LOROS take on the Run Leicester Festival has inspired me to do the same. I hate running but I realised I need to look after my own health now I’m in my mid-50s, so I started doing park runs and eventually managed to run 5k. I keep reminding myself why I’m doing it. I can’t think of anything more worthwhile to support.

I see first-hand the impact limited funding has on patient care. I see the waiting lists. I see the beds we can’t open because we don’t have the funding or staffing. It’s heartbreaking to know there are people who need us, but we don’t always have the capacity to help everyone."

Tomorrow, Michelle will join a record 5,000 runners at the sold out Run Leicester Festival, helping to raise vital funds so LOROS can continue caring for local patients and families when they need us most.

Michelle said: "I keep reminding myself why I’m doing it. I can’t think of anything more worthwhile to support."

Please join us in wishing Michelle and all our LOROS nurses taking part the very best of luck tomorrow! 👏

Tomorrow, our amazing LOROS runners will be taking on Run Leicester and they're going the extra mile to help make hospice care possible for local patients and families. 💛

Every runner has their own reason for taking part. Some are running in memory of someone special. Some have experienced LOROS care first-hand. Others simply want to do something incredible to support their local hospice.

Whatever their reason, every mile they run and every pound they raise will help LOROS continue to provide expert, compassionate care.

To everyone pulling on their LOROS vest tomorrow - good luck!

We'll be cheering you on every step of the way. Thank you for running for LOROS, raising vital funds and helping make hospice care possible.

And if you spot one of our runners out on the course tomorrow, give them an extra big cheer! 📣💛

We're at Leicester Tigers tonight! 🐯🏉

Did you know that LOROS Hospice provides specialist care and support for people living with Motor Neurone Disease across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland?

We're here at Leicester Tigers raising vital funds to help us continue caring for patients and their families.

If you're at the match, come and say hello! Find out more about the care and support LOROS provides, make a donation if you can and don't forget to grab a selfie with Lionel!

Every donation makes a difference. 💛

For 30 years, Elizabeth has supported LOROS with a simple £1 weekly Lottery entry; not because she expected to win, but because she believes in the importance of having hospice care in our community.

Her story is a reminder that when thousands of people each choose to do something small, together they can make a very real difference for local patients and families.

Here’s Elizabeth’s story.

“I’ve been playing the LOROS Lottery for 30 years now. I originally signed up because it was a donation I could afford, with a little bit of fun and the chance of winning along the way. I never really expected to win – for me, it’s always been about supporting LOROS.

It’s only £1 a week, around £4 or £5 a month, but when lots of people do that regularly, it can make a real difference. I believe in LOROS and the care it provides more than anything. We need hospice care in our community, and I think it’s important that people understand what LOROS does and how much it costs to provide that support. It’s about giving comfort and care to people at the end of their lives, as well as supporting their families.

I’ve never personally needed LOROS’ care, but I’ve known people affected by illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease, and over the years I’ve learnt even more about the specialist care LOROS provides.

After playing for 30 years, it was a lovely surprise to win the weekly £1,000 prize! I’ve actually had a couple of £10 wins in the past, but I never claimed them – I thought, if I don’t need it, I’d rather LOROS keep it. This is the first prize I’ve claimed.

I like knowing that by playing every week I’m doing something, however small, to help people in my local community. It might not feel like a lot, but it’s something I can afford to give regularly, and I think that’s better than not supporting at all.

To anyone thinking about joining the Lottery, I think you should. You might be lucky enough to win, but even when you don’t, your money is helping LOROS to be there for local patients and their families when they need it most. For me, that’s why I’ve kept playing for 30 years.”

This , we're sharing a message that gets to the heart of why hospice care matters. 💛

Hospice care is about helping people feel comfortable, cared for and loved at one of the most important times of their lives while supporting the people closest to them too.

And behind that care is a community of people who choose to make it possible.

During , this message is a powerful reminder that every act of support, however big or small, can help LOROS be there for local patients and families when they need us most.

For 30 years, Lydia has been helping LOROS be there for local patients and families. After seeing the difference hospice care made to someone she loved, she chose to give something back and three decades later, she’s still bringing friends, neighbours and her wider community together to support LOROS.

As the LOROS Lottery celebrates its 30th birthday, here’s Lydia’s story.

Lydia’s connection with LOROS began when her friend Rose received care at the Hospice before she died. Wanting to give something back in recognition of the care her friend had received, Lydia began fundraising for LOROS by selling copies of a book she had written.

“I wanted to do something to raise money for LOROS after my friend died. I’d written a book called Romance and Healing, which she had read while she was in the Hospice, so I decided to have copies printed and sell them to raise funds.”

It was through her fundraising that Lydia was introduced to the idea of the LOROS Lottery, which was just getting started.

“Someone asked me if I’d be interested in helping to get people to join the new Lottery because I knew lots of people. I didn’t drive back then, so I used to get on my push bike and go around asking friends and neighbours if they’d like to play!
That was back in 1996, and I’ve been playing and collecting ever since. I’ve even still got some of my original players from 30 years ago.”

Today, Lydia collects Lottery entries from 33 players as well as selling scratch cards, enjoying the social side of visiting people and getting to know them over the years. But one of her favourite parts of being a collector is being able to share the excitement when someone wins.

“I love collecting because I still get to see people’s faces when they win. It’s lovely to see the joy it brings, especially when it’s someone who really deserves a bit of good luck.

Although Lydia has only ever won smaller prizes of £5 and £10 herself, the chance of winning has never been her main motivation for playing or encouraging others to join.

“It’s all down to luck at the end of the day. When someone doesn’t win, I always say, ‘Thank you for your donation to the Hospice anyway. At least you know you’re supporting LOROS.’

That’s what it’s really about for me. You might win something, which is lovely, but even if you don’t, your money is still helping the Hospice.”

Over the past 30 years, Lydia has seen just how much LOROS means to the people in her community, including many of the Lottery players she visits.

“I’ve spoken to lots of people who play the Lottery and have had experience of LOROS care themselves or through their families. They’re always so grateful for the care they’ve received, and I love being able to support something that means so much to so many people.

Lydia’s own connection with the Hospice has continued throughout her three decades of support. In 2026, the same week she received her long-service award in recognition of her dedication to the LOROS Lottery, another close friend, Roz, died at home after receiving care from LOROS.

“LOROS is in my heart. I know what it’s like to lose someone as I lost my daughter four years ago, and I know how much the care means to patients and their families. It’s a lovely place, and I always speak highly of the care they provide.”

As the LOROS Lottery celebrates its 30th birthday, Lydia is proud to have been part of its journey from the very beginning, helping generations of local people support the Hospice through their weekly entries.

“I’ve been collecting for 30 years now, and I still enjoy it just as much. I love getting to know my players, seeing their faces when they win and knowing that we’re all doing our bit to support LOROS.

If you’re thinking about joining the Lottery, it’s definitely worth doing. You never know when your number might come up, but whether you win or not, you’re helping to support the Hospice, and that’s the most important thing.”

Hospice care is about so much more than you might expect. 💛

It’s expert medical care, symptom management and helping someone to be as comfortable as possible. But it’s also about listening to what matters to someone.

It’s about helping a family celebrate Christmas early, because waiting until December might not be possible. It’s finding a way to mark one more birthday. It’s helping create a wedding day surrounded by the people you love. It can be something as simple as enjoying a favourite tipple from our jolly trolley. Or when the sun comes out, wheeling a patient’s bed into the garden so they can feel the warmth on their face and spend some time outdoors.

Behind moments like these are the people who make them happen. Our nurses, doctors and wider care teams don't just care for a person's illness. They get to know the person and what's important to them, who matters to them and what might make today a little better.

And their care extends to families too, providing emotional support, reassurance and a listening ear at what can be one of the most difficult times of their lives.

This , we're shining a light on the people behind hospice care and everything they do to help patients and families make the most of the time they have together.

Because everyone deserves expert, compassionate and deeply personal care when they need it. Hospice care shouldn't be left to chance.

Hospice UK

Behind every Lottery player is a reason for choosing to support LOROS. For Cindy, that reason is deeply personal. Having experienced LOROS care through both of her parents, she knows first-hand the difference compassionate hospice care can make to a patient and their family. That’s why, for Cindy, playing the LOROS Lottery has always meant much more than the chance of winning. Here’s her story.

“I signed up because it was an easy way to make a donation to LOROS while having the chance to win at the same time. I look at it as a £52 donation each year. It’s an easy way to support LOROS regularly and, if you happen to win along the way, that’s a lovely bonus.

I’ve never played expecting to win. It’s a game of luck, so when your number does come up, it’s a real shock!”

For Cindy, that shock came earlier this year when she won the Lottery’s top prize.
“I really wasn’t expecting it at all. It was such a lovely surprise. You know when you play that there’s always a chance you could win, but that’s never been the main reason I do it.”

What has kept Cindy playing for the past decade is knowing where her weekly Lottery contribution goes and the difference it helps LOROS make for local patients and families.

Cindy has a particularly personal understanding of that care. Her dad died in 2005 and her mum died in 2017 after receiving care on the LOROS inpatient ward.

“I’ve experienced LOROS care personally through my family, and it is exceptional. It’s the little extra things they do that stay with you. When my parents died, the nurses left a flower on their pillow. Nothing is too much trouble, and the time they spend making sure patients are fully cared for is incredible.

That’s why playing the Lottery means more to me than the chance of winning. I know what LOROS does for people and their families, and my Lottery entry is another way I can help make sure that care is there for others.”

Cindy’s support for LOROS extends beyond playing the Lottery. She volunteers at the Hospice every week and helps at fundraising events throughout the year. But her Lottery entry remains one of the simplest ways she can give regularly.

“It’s £1 a week and I see that as my £52 donation to LOROS each year. When lots of people do the same, those weekly contributions can make a real difference.

And you never know – you might get a lovely surprise like I did!

But whether you win or not, you know your money is going towards supporting LOROS. For me, that’s what playing the Lottery is really about.”

This week we are marking a very special milestone at the Hospice. Yesterday, we came together to celebrate 30 years of the LOROS Lottery and some of the incredible people who have been part of its story. 🎉🎊

For three decades, our Lottery players have chosen to support LOROS week after week, helping us to be there for local patients and families when they need us most.

And during , that support feels more important than ever. Because while winning the Lottery might come down to chance, having access to compassionate, specialist care at the end of life shouldn't.

The Lottery may be about chance, but the difference our players make to hospice care is real. 💛

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing the stories of some of the people who have been part of that 30 year journey and showing what their continued support helps make possible.

A huge thank you to all of our incredible Lottery players. 👏

Hospice UK