Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had a change of programme for this chilly October evening. Roberta Lovick gave a heartfelt talk on the founding of the Loise Hamilton Centre following her daughter’s passing at the age of 28. Louise was born in 1969, graduating at Bristol University with a degree in languages. Louise worked for the World Health Organisation in Russia and Ukraine.
Louise received her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 26, however, whilst living with the disease the Bristol Cancer Help Centre was found to be an enormous support to Louise.
Following the loss of her daughter, Roberta told us so passionately that she could have taken one of two paths. Having been robbed of that all important conversation following the realisation of how ill her daughter was and the total lack of facilities to allow Louise and others in the same situation to “live life to the full until they die”, inspiration from the supportive care Louise had received from the Bristol Cancer Help Centre became the reason for Roberta to take the positive route following her bereavement.
Plans for a centre for the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney offering similar care to that of Bristol began to take shape. Fundraising achieved £1.5 million enabling the building, which is located in the grounds of the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston t be built providing care, information services, complex therapies, craft activities, giving an inspiring space that brings hope to patients and visitors. The shape of the building draws inspiration from the boat hulls, a reference to its coastal location. It connects comfortably from the outside to the inside, the idea of an ark as a place of peace and refuge.
A shy person by nature, Roberta told us so eloquently how her strength of character came to the fore and enabled her to achieve her goal. Her fundraising id legendary and Roberta now regularly inspects hospitals with a small team of experts looking at ways of improving hospital systems for cancer patients from admittance to end of life care.
In Great Yarmouth there is a fundraising shop where you can see s world in knitting. Fifty-two knitters work voluntarily with Roberta. Wool is always in demand as is anything which can be used or reused. It’s worth a visit when you’re next in town.
The achievements of Roberta with the support of her family have been remarkable. Red butterflies adorn the bright glass windows within the Centre, symbolising peace and joy. Most of us will have been touched by cancer, red butterflies are symbolic of spiritual unity across the world in which we all share.