Linda Styles, whose husband Owen received care at Heart of Kent Hospice, has donated £25,000 to the hospice after winning the People’s Post Code Lottery earlier this year. Linda made this contribution to recognise the exceptional support provided to Owen during his time at the hospice.
Reflecting on her experience, Linda said, “I can’t possibly repay the care and love that everyone at the hospice showed Owen and the dignity they gave him, but I can donate this money to the hospice which is an amazing charity where every penny counts.”
A Heartfelt Gift
Following her lottery win, Linda presented a cheque for £25,000 to Ann-Marie Kelly, Chief Executive of Heart of Kent Hospice, during a gathering in the Garden Room at the hospice on Monday, 10th November 2025.
During the event, Linda was joined by her friend Jo, whose husband Ian Thwaites passed away in the same hospice unit in October, aged 53. Both Owen and Ian had shared a close friendship for nearly 30 years and faced similar terminal illnesses. Remarkably, Ian was cared for in the same room where Owen had stayed six months earlier, highlighting the strong connection between their families and their shared gratitude for the hospice’s support.
Ann-Marie Kelly spoke with Linda and Jo about the deep bond between their husbands and the similarities in their care journeys.
Linda recalled that the most important phone call she received was not from the postcode lottery, but from the hospice confirming a bed was available for Owen. She shared, “The first thing I wanted to do when I knew I had won some money was to give a donation to the hospice. I can’t repay the teams for their kindness and support, but I just wanted to give something back.” Owen spent eight days at the hospice, having chosen to move there only six weeks after his diagnosis.
Experiencing the Hospice’s Support
Linda described how she came to appreciate the full range of services offered by the hospice only after experiencing them first-hand. She commented, “No-one quite realises the wonderful support that is also given afterwards to those left behind. Thinking you know what the hospice does but then actually living through the experience is very different. It’s so reassuring to be able to rely on the extraordinary people who work and volunteer at the hospice.”
She also spoke of the friendship between Owen and Ian, which provided mutual support during their illnesses. Both men were on the same ward at Maidstone Hospital before transferring to the hospice, and Owen valued Ian’s visits and admired his courage when he visited him in the hospice. Jo described the hospice as “life enhancing as it takes away the worry.”
Ongoing Support and Fundraising
Jo and her three children took part in the Moonlit Walk in early October, raising £3,000 for the hospice as Team Thwaites.
Linda attends the bereavement drop in on a Wednesday morning which has been an invaluable source of supportive. “It’s like having a safe space, everyone is there for the same reason.”
Both Linda and Jo continue to benefit from the hospice’s support services following the bereavements last year.
Ann-Marie Kelly, Chief Executive at the hospice said:
“We are so grateful to Linda and Jo for thinking and supporting the hospice in this way. This really is a transformational gift and one we are so grateful to receive which will directly support patients that need our care in the future. Compassion drives the team here at the hospice and I’m extremely proud that our services touch people like Linda & Jo in a way they want to show their gratitude to enable others to receive the same experience.”
Media Enquiries and Further Information
For media enquiries, interviews, or image requests, please contact Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 or 07775 943305. For further information about supporting the hospice, call 01622 790195 or visit www.hokh.org
About Heart of Kent Hospice
Heart of Kent Hospice was awarded Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards 2025. Over the past 34 years, the hospice has delivered free, compassionate, end-of-life care to people with terminal illnesses and their loved ones in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge and Malling, and surrounding areas. The hospice is highly regarded locally for the quality of its care, earning an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission in February 2017. Its vision is to ensure that everyone with a terminal illness in the community can have the best possible quality of life, living in comfort, independence, and dignity, with support for their loved ones.
Last year, the hospice cared for more than 2,000 patients and their families, either at home or at its Aylesford-based facility. To continue these vital services, the charity must raise £7.6 million each year, relying on the generosity of supporters, donations, and fundraising activities.
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