Bill Collins. Our hospice poet for Light up a Life and so much more

Devoted Wirral Hospice St John’s volunteer, Mr Bill Collins, speaks from the heart,

“I love the place, I love the people, I just love everything about it!”

He is a big part of hospice life. Bill has volunteered at Wirral Hospice St John’s for over 37 years, and, nowadays, he adds massive value to our inpatients ward every Wednesday evening. He feels the special emotions of Christmas time too. He’ll once again be devoting two or three hours of his time on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day this year.

He doesn’t say it but, it’s clear from our conversation, Bill is a big team player. He always wants to mention the hard work and dedication of fellow volunteers, especially his friend Kath Kenyon who has been volunteering at the hospice for more than 40 years too. He also credits his colleagues, Margaret, Tina, Karen and Judith who he volunteered alongside for many years.

On the inpatients ward at the hospice, Bill will serve patients with their evening meals, drinks, make sure people have fresh water and, whenever asked, will be available for a welcome chat. Our volunteers help to take some of the time pressures from the ward staff and, although Bill won’t take credit, we know it must be more than a little cheering and interesting for any patient, or family member, who spends a little time just chewing the fat with Bill.

He remembers fondly his own upbringing, born and bred in Bromborough, attending Woodslee primary school , then onto Acre Lane secondary under the headship of Mr Arthur Oakes, Bill recalls, where he left at the age of 15. Early jobs as a farm hand, looking after Shire horses at Pear Tree Farm at Raby Mere then onto the Stork margarine factory working in process development for 19 years before becoming a site driver and lab steward at Shell’s Thornton research facility, now part of the University of Chester.

When asked what he thinks of the hospice and the people he meets or works alongside, his passion shines through,

“I think the world of them, I’m just so proud to be a part of it. All our services and all the different people, patients, families, volunteers and staff, we’re like a family.”

Bill got involved with volunteering after he’d taken early retirement from Shell to support his own Mum, Nell, as her progressive illness worsened and he spent time as her main carer and then later for his Dad, Jack, when he also became ill.

After his Mum passed away, Bill was asked to consider volunteering at Wirral Hospice St John’s. He remembers applying and as soon as his ‘induction’ was completed he “loved it straight away.”

He chuckles heartily when he recounts the time the hospice obtained its first bed hoist. The nurses insisted that Bill was the ideal candidate to test the equipment,

“I was like a puppet suspended in mid-air, while the nurses were enjoying the spectacle, laughing their heads off. It would be a ‘Health and Safety’ thing nowadays, so new volunteers shouldn’t worry. Haha!”

What is remarkable, and might be news to some of his friends around the hospice, is he had a triple heart by-pass in 2001! Typical of Bill, he plays it down!

“I do plenty of swimming and try and look out for my neighbours in Bromborough. I’ve just listened to the doctors, I watch what I eat and I’ve had no major problems. ”

We’re really glad to hear it, Bill.

Bill helps the hospice in other ways too. For many years he helped to run the St Barnabas church hall Christmas Fayre, in Bromborough, with his good friend, Betty (who is sadly no longer with us). The first year they did this he made £63 and now, following this year’s event and selling hospice Christmas cards and calendars around the community, Bill has now raised well over £33,000 since becoming a volunteer.

By writing a special poem in recent years for our annual Light up a Life switch-on service in the hospice gardens, Bill has also made an extra special contribution to our whole Wirral community.

His poems are so poignant and I ask Bill where he gets his inspiration,

“I think of all the people I’ve met at the hospice down the years. I write for the families who have been touched by what we do, my mum and dad, and my sister, Barbara, and her family. Being involved as a volunteer has made me a better person.”

Here is Bill’s heartfelt poem for our 2025 Light up a Life service:

Remembering Loved Ones

Tonight’s the night we stand as one

To view the lights of life switched on.

And, as the lights begin to glow,

Our fondest memories start to flow.

—-

Even though our eyes don’t meet.

I often feel you’re close to me,

And, as I leave this loving scene,

I know I’ll see you in a dream.

Wonderful, Bill!

During the pandemic, when volunteers had to stay at home, Bill would cheer up the inpatients ward team when he used to phone up to check in on them and offer them his keen support for the hard work they were doing in challenging times. They used to make a note of when Bill had called and still talk about those kind words even no.

So, on 6th December, 2025, the day before the light up a life lights switch on, Bill will be celebrating his 87th birthday and we know very many of his hospice friends will want to wish him,

“Many happy returns, Bill, thank you so much for all that you do for Wirral Hospice St John’s.”

To sponsor a light for Light up a Life please call 0151 343 0778 or visit www.wirralhospice.org/lightupalife to make a donation online

If you’d like to volunteer at the hospice or in your community at one of our charity shops follow the links at www.wirralhospice.org/volunteering or email volunteering@wirralhospice.org or call 0151 334 2778 and ask for volunteer services