A FORMER nurse who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer will help provide funds for Worcester’s St Richard’s Hospice.

Megan Carr, aged 48, who lives in Kempsey, near Worcester said the charity, based in Wildwood Drive, had been “a rainbow in the storm” of her illness.

She is asking friends and relatives to donate to a special Forget Me Not Fund so that others in the future will also be able to benefit from the kindness and expert care of the independent hospice.

The mother-of-two was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

After surgery and chemotherapy the future looked promising but Mrs Carr then found a lump under her arm and was told the cancer had spread to her lymph glands.

After more radiotherapy Mrs Carr was told just after Christmas last year that the disease was now in her lungs and there was nothing more that doctors could do for her.

She said: “My journey through this illness has been rocky, but I have met some of the most wonderful people along the way and have found how incredible my family and friends are. I’ve been given months to live, not years.”

Mrs Carr said her GP, surgeon, oncologist and breast care team were fantastic throughout, but it was when she was asked if she would like to be referred to St Richard’s Hospice that she first met Sophie Edmonds, a clinical nurse specialist, that she felt uplifted and comforted.

Mrs Carr has also benefited from other services available at the hospice including counselling and complementary therapies including reiki and reflexology for relaxation.

Her daughter Natalie, 18, has also attended the family support group and Mrs Carr’s husband Kevin knows there is someone at the hospice he can call whenever he needs support.

Their son James is at university and is very grateful his mother can draw on the care and expert knowledge of the hospice staff.

Mrs Carr said: “These are truly special people in a wonderful place and I feel happy to place myself in their hands.

“My family and I owe them a huge debt, and I would love to leave a legacy of hope for others by raising funds so that other patients and families can benefit in the same way that we have.”

To donate to Mrs Carr’s fund, visit justgiving. com/ megancarrforgemenotfund.