Balfron man Len Thomson has launched a CD of songs to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice following the death of his wife.

Len was moved to fundraise for the Hospice following his experience of the care given to his wife Trish by the charity.

The devoted couple were on the North Coast 500 when Trish felt unwell and they returned from their holiday early. Following tests in February 2023 she was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

Her tumours grew in number and size before she sadly died in Strathcarron the following October aged 72.

“She was the love of my life."

Len (aged 75) says: “She was the love of my life. Trish had fundraised for the Hospice in the past and spoke so highly of it then sadly ended up in there needing the care herself. She was looked after very well. It is a wonderful place.

“It’s a fantastic job that Strathcarron does - I can’t run a marathon so this is my way of trying to help the Hospice. If I can achieve something for my wife and Strathcarron it will be worth it.

“I can’t begin to describe how good the care was from the moment she arrived. Everyone you meet is very caring and took the time to explain everything and knew when to give us the space required as it was very overwhelming.”

Len ‘s CD features five tracks.

 

The track Hey Little One was penned by Len in tribute to his wife when they first kindled their romance after a turbulent start to their relationship.

Len explains: “In January 1970 I was promoted and sent to Littlewoods Stores in West End, London. I had previously spent six weeks there in May/June 1969 where I first met Trish who was a stockroom supervisor. I did not make a good impression! It took nine months to persuade her to go out with me after my poor start the previous year.

“Littlewoods had very strict rules that staff were not to ‘fraternize’ with each other so when we started courting we had to keep it quiet. Management soon found out and she was moved away to another store to work in Acton to separate us.”

The couple carried on the relationship at a distance. After a day out in Hove together for their 4^th date Len dropped Trish off at the family home. On the drive home Len was in a serious car accident.

Len spent many days unconscious in hospital as a 'John Doe' as he had no ID on him. When he eventually came round days later he was devastated to realise he had missed an arranged date with Trish.

"Trish and I were so in love – we were one person."

Len adds: “In the days before mobile phones and internet the only way I could contact her to apologise for missing our date was to send a telegram.  I followed up the telegram with a letter, including the words of a song I wrote in an effort to tell her how I felt about her. It had the desired effect and we got engaged the following Christmas Eve and married in April 1971.

“Trish and I were so in love – we were one person. She loved me and I loved her only. When she became ill I was filled with grief but she loved music and his is my tribute to her.”

If you would like to purchase the CD please contact Len directly at [email protected]

Fundraising and donations are vital for the Hospice. Strathcarron Hospice has to raise £16,637 daily to provide all the specialist end of life care services to individuals and their families across its communities.

 

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