Remembering Billy: A Family’s Journey of Love, Care and Gratitude

Every Christmas, our Light Up A Life appeal gives us a special opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us, while bringing families and our community together in their memory.

This year, we are honoured to welcome the Martland family, who will switch on the lights on our Christmas tree at Willowbrook Hospice in memory of their much-loved husband, Dad and Grandad, Billy Martland.

Billy was cared for by our Willowbrook team in October 2022. Although almost four years have passed since his death, his family’s connection with Willowbrook has never faded. They continue to fundraise, volunteer and support the hospice because they want other families to experience the same care and compassion that meant so much to them.

Billy was diagnosed with cancer in October 2019 and was initially told he had around 12 to 18 months to live. But Billy was a fighter, and he refused to let his diagnosis define him.

His family told us: “Dad being Dad didn’t let those words stop him from living his life. He continued to work for as long as he could and would gladly take any treatment they offered him, which luckily gave him another three years with us! This was Dad – he was just a fighter.”

Billy continued to live life on his own terms. He was a family man, old school in many ways, and worked hard to look after those he loved.

His diagnosis encouraged the family to make the most of every moment.
Billy and his partner Gil had to reschedule their wedding during the pandemic, but once restrictions eased, the family had much to celebrate. Billy and Gil’s wedding, together with the weddings of Billy’s daughters, Laura and Rachel, all took place within a single year, creating precious memories for the whole family.

Nothing brought him more joy than being a Grandad. He adored spending time with his granddaughter Frankie and treasured every moment they shared together. Although Billy never had the chance to meet his granddaughters, Connie and Eloise, who were born after his death, his family know he would have loved them dearly and been immensely proud to watch his family continue to grow.

In October 2022, Billy was told that his chemotherapy was no longer working and his doctors recommended Willowbrook Hospice. The following day, he had a bed waiting for him. Although Billy initially wanted to return home and was becoming confused, the ambulance team helped him make the journey comfortably. Before long, he was settled at Willowbrook, where he spent nine days surrounded by the people he loved.

Once his symptoms were managed, Billy became more like himself again. Being a sociable man, he loved having visitors – and there were plenty of them.

His family were able to spend as much time with him as they wanted, making sure he was never alone. One particularly special visitor was the family dog, Freddie, who was brought into the hospice to see Billy. “He absolutely loved it,” his family remembered.

For the Martland family, Willowbrook provided far more than medical care. It gave them the space and support they needed to spend Billy’s final days together as a family.

“The staff, from nurses and doctors to catering, were just incredible,” they said. “They really took the time to explain things to us, and the most important thing was that we felt listened to. They were all so compassionate.”

The family were kept involved throughout Billy’s care. Changes in his condition were explained sensitively, their questions were answered, and their views were always taken into consideration. “It made such a difference. They gave us reassurance and allowed us to be a family in his last days.” For a proud man like Billy, maintaining his dignity was incredibly important to him and his family. “We could not have physically cared for him the way they did, and they did it in such a dignified way. Dad was a very proud man and never wanted help.”

Despite knowing that Billy’s time was becoming short, his final days were filled with something incredibly important – family life. There was laughter.

“We wondered if it was okay to laugh as much as we did,” his family said. “But it was the last week of his life, and we felt calm thanks to Willowbrook.”

Billy was comfortable and free from pain, and his family knew that help was always close by.

“He was never in pain. It literally took one press of a button and someone was there immediately to administer pain relief, and he was comfortable again.”

Most importantly, the family never felt that they were in the way. “The staff really are so kind, and so good at what they do. We never once felt like we were in the way.”

Billy’s family have carried that gratitude with them ever since. They wanted to give something back to Willowbrook so that other families could receive the same level of care when they need it most. Laura began the family’s fundraising journey by taking part in the Moonlight Walk with her eldest daughter, Frankie. Rachel went on to volunteer with Willowbrook as a Compassionate Neighbour, and although she stepped away from the role after having her daughter Connie, her connection with the hospice continued.

Today, Rachel is a Director of the Willowbrook Trading Company, supporting the retail side of the hospice because of the passion she has for the work we do.

The family continue to take part in Willowbrook events, including the Pub Walk, and find different ways to support the hospice. For the Martland’s, every event, every pound raised and every hour given is about something much bigger than fundraising. It is about Billy. It is about remembering the man they loved, celebrating the life he lived and helping other families have the opportunity to make precious memories together, just as they did.

This Christmas, when the Martland family switch on the lights at Willowbrook, they will be remembering Billy – a much-loved husband, Dad and Grandad who filled his life with family, friendship and laughter. And as the lights shine brightly, they will also represent the lasting impact of his life and the difference his family continue to make.

“We do this because we want others in the future to have the same level of care that we did.”