A 68-YEAR-OLD man has praised a Worcester charity for helping him turn his life around.

Ray Mace, from Shrawley is living with heart failure and before 12 weekly visits to St Richard's Hospice lacked the confidence to leave home.

He had also lost two stone in weight and could not walk.

He said: "My biggest problem was I didn’t want to mix or see anyone. I never went anywhere, I sat in a chair and was conscious I couldn’t walk, had lost lots of weight and was feeling old and past it.

"It’s been an amazing turn around. I’ve been encouraged and supported to do things I wouldn’t have done if I was at home. I now have the confidence and strength of being able to walk without a stick and I’ve got my appetite back.

Since coming to the hospice in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, Mr Mace has learnt skills to use at home from therapies such as relaxation and yoga classes, as well as meeting other people living with a life-limiting illness.

The former dean of Wolverhampton University added: " “I don’t consider death itself is problematic: it’s how you get there that is important.

"I don’t know how long I’ve got but know I have access to St Richard’s which can support me if there are bad times yet to come.

"The hospice offers a tremendous service and I’m grateful to experience it in a very positive way.”

Mr Mace also praised all the volunteers who help St Richard’s, including the drivers who bring him to and from the hospice, describing them as a ‘tremendous’ team.