Tina's story: A very special visitor

Born and bred in Lancashire, Tina has loved donkeys for as long as she can remember. Some of her happiest childhood memories are of family trips to Blackpool with her dad and brothers, where the donkeys on the beach captured her heart.

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“My brothers always wanted to ride the donkeys with their little bells on,” Tina recalls. “But I must only have been four or five years old, and I didn’t want to ride them because I thought I might hurt them. So instead, my dad paid the same price for me to walk the donkey up and down the beach.”

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That love stayed with Tina throughout her life. Although she regularly supported donkey sanctuaries, she had never actually visited one herself, despite it being on her bucket list.

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After moving to London in 1969, Tina worked on Portobello Road selling antique kitchenware and later met her husband of 51 years, D, who founded the much-loved vintage shop Crazy Clothes Connection on Ladbroke Grove. Together, they built a life filled with music, community and connection, and their family became a much-loved part of London’s fashion and music scene.

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D’s family founded Peckings Records, another local favourite, which remains London’s oldest reggae record shop today. It is now proudly run by Tina’s nephew Chris, who Tina says is “like a son” to her and who has been by her bedside throughout her stay at St John’s.

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Tina’s love of music remains as strong as ever, especially the songs of Frank Sinatra, which played softly in the background during our interview.

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When Tina arrived at the hospice, following a referral from Charing Cross Hospital, she was extremely unwell.

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“When I came in, I was so ill, in such a state. I could barely swallow or eat,” she says. “Look at me now. It’s amazing here. You couldn’t want for anything.”

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During her stay on our Inpatient Unit, Tina shared her lifelong dream of visiting a donkey sanctuary with the hospice team. Determined to make it happen, the team decided that if Tina could not get to the sanctuary, the sanctuary would come to her.

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Sister Anne helped create a picture board for Tina’s bedside while plans were made for a very special visitor from Hackney City Farm: Clover, the farm’s gentle 26-year-old donkey.

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On a beautiful sunny morning in the hospice gardens, Tina, her family and the hospice team gathered to meet Clover. Chris’ wife helped Tina dress for the occasion, bringing her earrings from home and a special ribbon to wear in her hair.

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“I remember having ribbons in my hair when we went to Blackpool,” Tina smiled.

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As Clover approached, Tina exclaimed, “I’ve waited my whole life to meet you, Clover.”

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There were smiles, laughter and moments of pure joy as Tina spent time feeding and stroking the donkey.

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“It’s been marvellous,” Tina says. “I am so grateful to the team for arranging this — Chelsea, Sister Anne, the doctors, everyone. Clover was lovely. You can tell she’s so well looked after. I even fed her carrots from my mouth. She had an appetite; I can tell you that!”

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Moments like these are incredibly special and rare. Being able to welcome animals such as Clover into our hospice creates lasting memories not only for the people in our care, but also for their families and our staff.

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Tina’s story is a reminder that hospice care is about so much more than medicine. It is about dignity, compassion and helping people continue to experience joy, connection and the things they love most.

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With the support of our community, we can continue creating moments like this for more patients and families. To donate, please visit donate.stjohnshospice.org.uk.