THE wives of two men who were cared for by their local hospice before they died have given emotional interviews in two new films to raise awareness of hospice care.

Both women have spoken of the fantastic care the hospices provided through such a difficult time.

In the films Jean Sleap, 71, from Rayleigh, speaks of the “amazing” boost that Fair Havens Hospice gave to her husband Brian, before he died of emphysema aged 74, on January 30 this year.

Brian attended Day Care at Fair Havens, Chalkwell Avenue, Westcliff, before being admitted to the In-Patient Unit at the hospice when his condition seriously deteriorated shortly after Christmas 2015.

In the film Jean explained: “My phone rang and they said, ‘Brian’s a little bit poorly, we think you need to get up here very quickly’ and I was so shocked, really shocked.

“All the family managed to get in there. We all took it in turns holding his hand. The doctor came in and she looked at him and said he’s struggling with his breathing and my heart went out to him. He fought right to the end, until he couldn’t hear our voices any longer. Then it was very peaceful.

“My whole family are amazed by Fair Havens.”

The release of the films marks the start of Hospice Care Week- which begins Monday, a nationwide campaign across the country which asks what ‘Hospice Care Is…?’.

In a second film Michelle Copley, 51, from Shoebury, speaks about her husband Richard, an airline pilot, who died on May 26 2013 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer which had also spread to his lungs and two years later, to his brain.

The couple,turned to Fair Havens when caring for Richard at home became too difficult.

In the emotional footage Michelle said: “It was a very precious two weeks that they gave us.”