John Willoughby has been using his time at the Trimar Day Hospice to capture his memories of being a long-distance lorry driver in paint.

John, 59, of Broadwey, Weymouth depicted his life story on a big piece of card during his visits to the day hospice in Greenhill, Weymouth.

He said he had returned to his love of art ‘in his later years’ and painted places that he would like to escape to.

“I paint places I like and imagine myself in, that’s what is relaxing for me.

“I can forget about my problems while I’m doing it and the end result is sometimes good.

“The life story painting was quite interesting to do, it brought it all back.”

He added: “The emphasis was really to say you can always return to places but it will never be the same.”

Retired John suffers from respiratory problems and has been attending the day hospice twice a week for about a year.

He said: “I’ve had a huge amount of help from Trimar. It has been a wonderful experience for me.

“It’s given me a totally different view of life to see people volunteering.

“I’ve led quite a lonely life as a long-distance lorry driver and I wasn’t aware of these sorts of things.

“Weldmar seems to give an awful lot to me and I don’t seem to have an awful lot to give back.

“I can honestly say it’s been hugely important not just for me but for my wife Samantha as well.

“It lets my wife do things she doesn’t like to while I’m there, even if it’s decorating or a computer course at Weymouth College.”

He added: “The Trimar has got a good network. My wife sums it up by saying I don’t like going to the doctors or hospital and that’s a lot of responsibility on her shoulders when I become ill.”

As part of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Trimar provides support and advice to people over the age of 18 with life limiting illnesses or advanced progressive conditions and who require special access to specialist palliative care.

The day hospice offers assessment and monitoring of healthcare needs, symptom control together with the opportunity to enjoy new interests, companionship and social activities while giving carers at home a break.

Vera Nethercott, 86, of Wyke Regis, Weymouth has attended the day centre every week for the last seven weeks.

She said she enjoyed having her hands massaged by the complementary therapist and that the staff were ‘always very nice to me and always very helpful’.

She added: “I just sit back and enjoy the view of the sea front. What more could you want?

“At the moment I’m capable of more or less looking after myself but the nurses are there if they’re needed, which is a good thing.”

Caroline Nalm, 67, of Preston, Weymouth has been volunteering at the day hospice for about three years and previously volunteered at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

The retired physiotherapist said she liked to help other people.

She added: “The Weldmar does such good work and keeps people in what is a lovely environment.”

Show them you care and back our appeal

The Dorset Echo and the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust have joined forces for our ‘Show Them You Care’ campaign.

We aim to raise £60,000 to pay for a community nurse for a year. We’ve already raised £1,345 but there’s a long way to go and we need your help to hit the £60,000 target.

We need you to hold fundraising events to help hit the target. Or you could simply donate money on our specially set up Just Giving webpage.

The £60,000 will be used to fund a nurse for a year and pay for all of her support and expenses. Crucially, it would mean even more patients and their families receiving all the support they need, when they need it most. Now it is time to show you care. Donate on the website listed or send donations in by post.

Go online to justgiving.com/weldmarnurse Send cheques payable to ‘The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’ to the Dorset Echo offices at Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD.

We also want to hear your stories of how Weldmar has helped you and why you think people should support this charity. Call reporter Laura Kitching on 01305 830984.