Memories of our patron Dame Esther Rantzen

Announcing her death yesterday, Dame Esther Rantzen's children said in their statement that: “Mum’s work with charities and campaigning, particularly for children, older people, and the terminally ill, meant the world to her.”

At North London Hospice we were honoured that this commitment, passion and campaigning work extended to helping us and our patients. 

Dame Esther, was a patron of our hospice for many years and is pictured here with our longstanding volunteer Joe Attridge (left) and John Bryce, our North London Hospice Chair from 2011-2018.

John fondly recalls his memories of working with her: 

"During my time, she made a number of visits to the hospice and talked to patients, together with any relatives and friends who happened to be visiting. These visits were entirely patient focused. She introduced herself to the patient, and the conversation was entirely about the patient; she listened intently and was both empathetic and supportive.

"Of course, she understood the publicity value of her visit, and we usually managed to arrange for a local photographer to be present so that we could get a picture in a local paper. But her intentions were always clear - it was the hospice which was the focus of the publicity and she was simply the enabler.

"Dame Esther also felt that one of her responsibilities as a patron was to do a bit of fundraising herself. So, in a fiercely busy schedule, she made the time to give talks on her life and her many interests. I remember in particular, a rousing talk on the battles she faced to set up her charity Childline. The problems were immense and would have surely thwarted a less formidable person than herself.  It was the combination of a steely resolve, determination and charm which won out in the end.

"So the Hospice has lost a good friend and we mourn her loss. But we will always value her contribution to the development of the Hospice and, in particular; her personal engagement with the patients who it is our privilege to serve."