Patient fulfils childhood dream with Willow Wood’s support
A patient who was cared for at Willow Wood fulfilled a lifelong dream — with the help and support of the Hospice’s dedicated team.
Joanne Bradburn, from Glossop, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2024 and was first referred to our Inpatient Unit in April 2025, to help manage her pain and support her ongoing care.
After a period in hospital, Joanne returned to the Hospice, where she received end-of-life care before she died in June, aged 45.
During her time at the Hospice, Joanne shared with our team that she had always dreamed of going on a barge trip — a wish inspired by fond childhood memories.
“I’ve always wanted to go on a barge trip since I was young,” she said. “I used to love watching Rosie and Jim on TV – me and my brother were obsessed with it.
“After my diagnosis, I came up with a bit of a bucket list and one of the things on it was to do a barge trip with my family because none of us had ever been on one.”
Joanne’s family had originally booked two barges that could accommodate 19 people, but as her health declined and she lost her mobility, the plan felt increasingly out of reach.
“My brother Wesley found two barges which held 19 of us which was booked a while ago. But as time has gone on, my condition has got progressively worse and I cannot walk anymore. I’m not mobile so I’m restricted to a wheelchair.
“We were all thinking it was too much and we’re not going to be able to do it.”
That’s when Nicola, one of Willow Wood’s Specialist Occupational Therapists, stepped in. Hearing about Joanne’s dream, she suggested a more accessible option closer to the Hospice – ensuring there was access on and off the boat, safe transport to the barge, and that Joanne’s needs could be met whilst she was on the boat.
“Nicola gave us lots of information about ‘Still Waters’ – a trip boat operated by Tameside Canal Boat Trust at Portland Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne, because otherwise we wouldn’t have known about it.
“The barge had an accessible lift and toilet. To transport Joanne from the Hospice to Portland Basin, she needed her wheelchair to be clamped down in the taxi. We used Hyde Accessible Transport, which we highly recommend.
“My sister Hayleigh contacted them and they accommodated us straight away. It was a shorter barge trip which worked better for me – about two-and-a-half hours up and down Droylsden Canal.
“My whole family came along on the first Bank Holiday Monday in May. There were 19 of us – including my partner Bill, my parents, my two brothers, my two sisters and their children.
“We all managed to get on a very traditional narrow boat. We had an amazing time and the weather was beautiful. The children loved it, they were able to feed the birds too. It really was a dream come true for me.”
Joanne had other items on her bucket list – including attending her sister Hayleigh’s wedding in Halifax in August.
“I’d love to have a ride in a hot air balloon but my family were a bit sceptical on that one. I think I’d be a bit nervous about that as well but I would like to do a bit more of a daredevil kind of activity – perhaps with my partner.”
Joanne was extremely grateful for the care she has received at Willow Wood, which she described as ‘11 out of 10’.
She said: “I cannot fault it. I’ve been really looked after, in every aspect I could possibly wish – it’s been second to none. The team have been so compassionate – you can see they genuinely care about my wellbeing and make sure that I am okay.
“The surroundings are just perfect. I love the gardens where I’ve spent a lot of time. It’s great that the rooms back onto the gardens. I was able to experience the Flower Festival here too which was lovely – I managed to take part in some of the raffles and tombolas and won a lovely bottle of perfume. It was like a bit of normality.
“My family have been able to visit me regularly as well at any time they like, which has been another good thing. They have said they have enjoyed coming and how beautiful it is. It’s not a scary place to come to.”
Before coming to Willow Wood, Joanne didn’t know about the services we provide — or the scale of funding needed to keep the Hospice running.
“I did not know anything about it before but it’s a place I’ll be shouting about now and I want to do some charity events to help towards fundraising because it’s a lot of money to run the place.”
It costs at least £3.6 million every year for Willow Wood Hospice to continue providing our vital services to deliver compassionate care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness.
With only around 24 per cent of that total coming from the Government, the Hospice relies on the generosity of the community by making donations; organising or supporting fundraising events; donating or buying goods to its charity shops; leaving gifts in Wills; joining the weekly lottery or volunteering.
To find out more about the care we offer and how you can help, visit www.willowwood.org.uk/together-we-care or call 0161 330 1100.