STAFF and patients at the Marie Curie hospice in Bradford were treated to a socially-distanced afternoon tea by a grateful relative of a former patient.

Natalie Miller wanted to say thank you to the nurses who looked after her Uncle Geoff prior to his death in the hospice a week earlier.

Natalie’s Grandmother Ada, and Auntie Pauline were also both cared for by the nurses at the Marie Curie hospice during the last stages of their lives.

Ms Miller, who arranged the special treat for the hospice staff and patients, said: “When I realised that there are no visitors allowed for what are very obvious reasons, it broke my heart to think how even more isolated the patients must feel during the Covid-19 outbreak and I just wanted to give them something to look forward to.

“I also wanted to help create some nice memories for the staff - it truly does take a very special and unique type of person to do what they do so well.”

This month marks the charity's Blooming Great Tea Party, which is going virtual this year, and they need tea party hosts more than ever before to make up for the devastating effect the coronavirus crisis has had on the charity’s income.

Marie Curie is caring for people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and in its hospices, as well as people with Covid-19, and is protecting the NHS by keeping patients away from hospital.

However its fundraising income has been devastated by the impact of lockdown measures – it had to cancel its Great Daffodil Appeal in March and closed all its charity shops shortly after.

The end of life charity is calling on people across the district to throw a Blooming Virtual Tea Party from home this summer - a great way to stay connected with loved ones and to support nurses working on the frontline of the crisis.

Mark Winton, head of community fundraising said “Our Blooming Great Tea Party looks a little different this year but I think everyone needs an excuse to meet up with their friends and family – online of course – and check in on the people they love. If you can do that while raising some money for Marie Curie, then your generous donations will enable us to help even more people at the end of their lives get the care they need in this time of uncertainty.

“We rely on the support of the amazing public to ensure our nurses can keep caring for people. And while the coronavirus crisis has badly impacted our fundraising events, we hope by going virtual we’ll be able to raise the vital funds we need to keep supporting people in our communities across Yorkshire”.

To register to be a tea party host visit mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 0800 716 146.