Brian’s Story

Brian McMahon was so thankful for the care his beloved wife, Val, received from Dougie Mac that when he won the top prize of £5,000 in our summer bonanza raffle, he kindly donated £1,000 back to the hospice.

Val, a former primary school teacher, took early retirement to look after her elderly parents but two years later was diagnosed with a rare cancer – peritoneal cancer which develops in the thin tissue lining the abdomen.

After receiving chemotherapy and other treatments at the world-famous Christie’s in Manchester for five years, Val was referred to Dougie Mac in January 2022 for end-of-life care. She passed away in the hospice on August 5 of that same year.

Brian said. “Val was a very, very good teacher and taught year 2 at Hanley St Luke’s in Wellington Road for 21 years. She was highly valued and would regularly see adults she had taught as children who would come up to speak to her when we were out and about. She had a huge circle of friends, was full of life and also served as a governor at the local school in Brown Edge.

“The care she received at Dougie Mac was incredible from everyone. Everything the staff did was done with so much love and care. It was a very difficult time made easier by the kind attitude of everyone at the hospice.”

Brian began taking part in the Dougie Mac Lottery four years ago as a ‘way of giving back’ to the hospice. His winnings will go towards one of his hobbies – travelling. With plenty of trips planned for the future.