Matt Le Tissier delights Oakhaven Patient

Footballing legend Matt Le Tissier recently visited an Oakhaven Patient, helping to make a special moment for a lifelong supporter of Southampton Football Club.

Earlier this month, Saints supporter, Brian, was ‘over the moon’ when he received a visit from his footballing hero, Matt Le Tissier.

Brian, an Oakhaven patient receiving care and support in his own home in Dibden Purlieu and weekly at Oakhaven’s Day Hospice in Lymington, also enjoys regular visits from Paul, an Oakhaven Neighbours volunteer.

Paul said; “Brian is a lifelong Saints supporter and Matt Le Tissier is his hero. I wrote to Matt asking if he could visit and almost immediately he replied saying that he would be delighted. Matt spent an hour and a half visiting Brian. They chatted for a long time about the old players at Southampton Football Club. To coin a football phrase Brian was ‘over the moon’ and looks forward to telling everyone about the visit at his next visit to the Oakhaven Day Hospice.”

Matt Le Tissier said to Paul on being thanked for his visit; “It was my pleasure and keep up the great work you’re doing too, I’m sure Brian appreciates your weekly visit as much as mine. Up the Saints!” 

Brian said; "As a lifelong Saints Supporter to see Matt Le Tissier, my Saints hero, walk through my door was a massive surprise! A huge thank you to my Oakhaven Neighbour, Paul, for taking the time to create this special moment for me and to Matt for spending so much time, sharing memories, with me”.

Oakhaven Hospice provides specialist care and support for patients with life-limiting illnesses, at the hospice and in homes throughout the New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities, free of charge.

The demand for the care and support provided by Oakhaven is increasing each year. Last year, Oakhaven Hospice cared for 1,400 patients, both in the hospice and in homes throughout the New Forest, Totton and Waterside, free of charge. In addition, over 4,300 people navigating bereavement or a life-limiting illness received support through Oakhaven’s Coates Centre.

Yet only 11% of the hospice’s funding is covered by the government - the remaining 89% must be raised via donations, gifts in Wills, fundraising, the charity’s shops and the social enterprise Oakhaven Care Ltd.

Earlier this year Oakhaven launched ‘Moment Makers’, a programme focused on monthly donations that will directly support patients and their families. Moment Makers enables you to become part of a cherished community making a big difference, safeguarding compassionate end-of-life care so that it remains accessible to all who need it.

Find out more about Moment Makers

Over and above the clinical support provided by Oakhaven, ’Oakhaven Neighbours’ volunteers offer companionship and a helping hand at home to Oakhaven patients, assisting with everyday tasks that can become overwhelming when living with a life-limiting illness.

Find out more about becoming an Oakhaven volunteer