After her grandad received “phenomenal” end-of-life care at St Ann’s Hospice in 2022, 24-year-old Shauna Marsh was delighted when she was offered her first nursing job at the charity in 2024.

While assisting patients and their family members, Shauna is now supporting a wider mission of St Ann’s Hospice – to build a new hospice which is “desperately” needed by the local community of Greater Manchester.

Shauna shared the touching details of her daily job, as well as an urgent appeal to support funding for the new hospice, which will provide world-class care for everyone and for generations to come.

Words by Shauna Marsh

Hi, my name is Shauna. I grew up in Salford and am a registered nurse currently working at St Ann’s Hospice. In 2022, my grandad received phenomenal end-of-life care at the hospice, and my family were incredibly well-supported during this difficult time.

So, in 2024, when I was offered a nursing role at St Ann’s, I was absolutely over the moon. To enable patients to meet their final wishes and providing dignified care is incredibly rewarding.

Of course, my job can also be emotionally challenging, with lots of ups and downs. One day I may face a patient dying and their family members going through one of their worst days of their life. In the same shift, I may help other patient meet their goals of being able to go for a walk outside or see their pets.

After over 50 years of providing free, specialist care to thousands of local people, St Ann’s Hospice now desperately need a new, state-of-the-art building, to provide even better standards of care. As a charity, only 1/3 of our funding is provided through the NHS – we actually need £20,000 per day to keep our doors open! That’s why I am fundraising for St Ann’s Hospice at the Manchester Half in October – my first half marathon which will help make a difference for my local community.

I’m looking forward to the challenge of the 13.1 miles, as well as the energy of the crowd and fellow participants at the event. I know I’ll feel accomplished when I cross the finish line, and my fundraising will go toward the final £500K of the total £2 million cost of the project.

Also, by the time I complete the event, St Ann’s Hospice will also have a new name – Moya Cole Hospice – to honour the inspirational founder Dr Moya Cole. I’m excited that the Manchester Half will be one of the first events that supporters will be running for Moya Cole Hospice.

Please support me in my fundraising journey below and see you at the event!