A FARMER'S wife has heaped praise on the NHS for the "excellent" care received by her husband who died at the Herefordshire farmhouse home where he had lived all his life.

Charlie Hanson, aged 71, passed away peacefully and with dignity, said his widow, Maryan. Thanks to support from medical professionals and the family, he had been able to attend his son's wedding, transported in a wheelchair strapped to his beloved CAT teleporter, just 12 days before he died.

Following the wedding, members of Dilwyn Young Farmer' Club organised an auction of promises in the marquee, and with "tremendous support" from the farming community, the event raised the amazing sum of £14,200. Already the sum of £11,000 has been presented to the Macmillan Renton Unit at Hereford County Hospital.

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Mr Hanson, who farmed all his life at Home Farm, Eardisland, was diagnosed in April 2020 with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He underwent 12 sessions of chemotherapy and was found to be clear of cancer by October that year. He described going to the MRU as "being a member of an extended family".

But 12 months later he was found to have oesophagal cancer stage 3 and was given palliative care.

Mrs Hanson said: "He wished to live until September 3 2022 as he said he would love to be able to attend his youngest son's wedding." He was given six sessions of chemotherapy and 10 sessions of radiotherapy which arrested the tumour's growth.

"He maintained that due to the caring, compassionate treatment in the MRU, the marquee for John's wedding would be used to raise money for the unit," she said.

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The radiotherapy had caused a stricture and he was taken into hospital for a stent to be fitted before being allowed back home in time for the wedding.

"He was looked after by the excellent palliative care team who with the help of the magnificent 'Hospice from Home' team who got him to the wedding which with their help he was able to participate in and enjoy. The couple's three sons prepared the teleporter for its special job to safely carry their father to the church and the reception.

Mrs Hanson said: "This was an example of the NHS at its best, the linked up treatment from MRU and the excellent care that all the teams provide for end of life care for people in the community."

She thanked Henman's Marquees and Brinley Bowen toilets who donated their services to support these charities.