Laura Bagshaw MORE than £5,000 has been donated to the James Paget University Hospital in memory of Great Yarmouth Lion Thelma Fox. “A determined lady, full of life, energy and fun” is how Ian Fox described his late wife, who battled with cancer and kidney failure for four years.

Laura Bagshaw

MORE than £5,000 has been donated to the James Paget University Hospital in memory of Great Yarmouth Lion Thelma Fox.

“A determined lady, full of life, energy and fun” is how Ian Fox described his late wife, who battled with cancer and kidney failure for four years.

The treatment Thelma received from the James Paget was summed up as “absolutely terrific” by Ian this

week who said the “inspiring” attitude of hospital staff helped Thelma “keep a smile on her face” during treatment.

However, in February this year Thelma lost her battle and died age 66.

At her funeral mourners were asked for donations in lieu of flowers and to the Fox family's astonishment more than £5,000 was raised in her

memory.

The money has been split three ways between the renal unit, the Sandra Chapman Centre and the Palliative Care East appeal - in thanks for the care Thelma received.

Ian, of Youell Avenue, Gorleston, said: “We were amazed by the donations given in memory of Thelma. The care she received in every department was terrific. We knew it was a matter of time but when certain treatments would not work they kept trying different things. Even at the end the care she received was terrific.”

The couple met while working at a dentist's in Sussex and moved back to Norfolk in 1964 before going to Lowestoft in 1966 where they opened a practice on Corton Road.

Thelma was taken ill in February 2004 and admitted to hospital with acute renal failure. A few days later the family was given the devastating news that she had multiple myeloma, and that it was incurable.

Ian said: “Within a couple of weeks Thelma went from being very healthy to being diagnosed with multiple myeloma.”

Thelma was initially given between six to 12 months to live and began treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

“We were living in Lowestoft at

the time and the journey to

Norwich was putting a strain on Thelma,” explained Ian.

Thelma's treatment was transferred to the James Paget and after an intensive course of chemotherapy

she went into remission for about

14 months - allowing her to serve beside Ian during his term as the Lions district governor for East Anglia.

Ian has been a member of the Lowestoft Lions club since 1969 and Thelma had always supported the club - helping out at coffee mornings and fundraising events. In 2002 she became a member of the Yarmouth club.

Thelma received regular renal dialysis at the James Paget and

had several stays in hospital

during her battle with cancer.

As the illness took hold Thelma received treatment from the Hospice at Home team run through the James Paget.

Ian said: “Right to the very end Thelma was given the highest level of care so that we were all able to be with her in our home when she passed on.”

Ian is pictured with his four grandchildren presenting cheques for £1,644.20 to representatives of the renal unit and the Sandra Chapman Centre. The remaining money will be presented to the Palliative Care East appeal.