Announcement – Tony Jules

Media Statement
We are sorry to announce the death of Tony Jules, a patient of Keech Hospice Care.

Tony, 63, from Sundon Park in Luton died peacefully at Keech on Sunday surrounded by his loved ones.

Tony who had terminal prostate cancer was recognised for his selfless actions after turning his room at Keech Hospice Care into a fundraising hub to achieve his final legacy of raising £40,000 to buy ‘an angel’ – the cost of a nurse for one year who would care for other terminally ill patients after he had died.

His wife Denise, 60 said: “It’s obviously a very sad time for me and Tony’s sons Taj, 40, and Jonathan, 18. We, his Mother, Veronica, 84 and all of our friends and family will miss Tony greatly. But it’s also a time to celebrate Tony and all he achieved throughout his life. Tony was so grateful for all the kind and generous public support he received throughout his fundraising venture for his angel, and at times, overwhelmed by how total strangers took his story to their hearts. For Tony to have met, and even been cared for by his own angel in his final few days, was very special to him. My heartfelt thanks go to every one of you and to all the nurses and staff at Keech for their fantastic care and support throughout Tony’s final journey.”

Liz Searle, CEO at Keech Hospice Care said: “We have the privilege of caring for people at a most critical time in their lives. We therefore witness the true courage and strength of the human mind and sprit. Tony Jules was a wonderful example of such courage. Tony chose to use his final weeks to raise awareness of Keech Hospice Care and to help us to raise much needed funds. Tony and his work will always be remembered by us here at Keech. Our thoughts are with his wonderful family who we came to know so well.”

Tony started his fundraising mission in August 2015 and to date has raised more than £44,500. To donate in Tony’s memory visit https://www.justgiving.com/tonysangel.

Click here to read how Tony began his fundraising journey.
Click here to see Tony get his angel.
Click here to witness Tony meet his angel.

For further information contact Lorna Milton, Senior PR Officer at Keech Hospice Care on 01582 497874/ 07824606856 or at lmilton@keech.org.uk.

Images:
1. My Angel, a poem by Tony Jules.

2. Tony and Denise Jules.

Notes to Editor:
Watch what happened when nurses at Keech Hospice Care broke the news to Tony he had reached his fundraising target: https://www.keech.org.uk/about/news-media/107-tony-jules-gets-his-angel.

To see many of Tony’s messages of support and donations visit https://www.justgiving.com/tonysangel.