A woman who moved to Bolton Hospice after being given months to live has praised staff for their support and says “you don’t realise what it does until you need it yourself”.

Janet Kemp, 57, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in March and was told by medics that an operation or chemotherapy were not treatment options.

She ended up getting a stent fitted and was given just six to nine months to live.

Janet and her husband Gary who are from Halliwell, have been using the hospice for six weeks and have said their support has been amazing since day one.

Read more: Couple praise Bolton Hospice after support

Janet said: “When we got released from Salford Hospital the district nurses came and they sent us here, so I started seeing a doctor here.

“I thought we didn’t have any support but then when Bolton Hospice got in touch with us, they’ve been our support from day one.”

Janet said that she wanted to die at home after being discharged from hospital however she had to have an operation done so came to the hospice before and after her surgery and saw how caring everyone was.

She said: “I just saw how caring everyone was and how everything was, and I decided this is where I want to die.

“They’ve just been so supportive. If you need to talk to anyone, there’s someone here for you.

“You’re not on your own, it’s like a big family around you. You can bring your animals in, it’s just like being at home.

“I call this room my little bungalow because you can do what you want, you can go outside, do anything and they are so caring.”

Read more: Runner's 8 miles a day for a YEAR to back Bolton Hospice

Her husband Gary has been Janet’s carer for 18 years and said the hospice has greatly helped him become more of a husband again due to their support.

He said: “I feel that even though my position as a husband has been more of a carer for all those years, it has helped me to be more of a husband than just being that role of a carer so for me it’s given quality time for both of us.”

The couple said that having the hospice is so important to them and so many people need a place like it.

Janet said: “There’s so many people out there who need it, we know lots of people who have cancer, and they all need that support here.

“Because people don’t know much about it, they need to come and look and see what it’s about.

“You don’t realise what it does until you need it yourself.

“I’d just like to say thank you for what they do for us.

“When I’ve gone, I want all my clothes and bags to be donated here and, instead of having flowers at my funeral, I want everyone to donate some money here.

“It won’t be much, but every small amount adds up.

“My daughter has raised £250, and my stepson has raised £350 so we’ve already started raising money.”

Read more: Bolton Hospice on how its helps families through devastating times

Gary added: “The support they’ve given has been second to none.

“I know how stressful it is to look after someone but to have that support network here is superb.

“You couldn’t wish for anything better.”

The Bolton News launched its 'Save Bolton Hospice' campaign to help reduce the deficit, aiming to raise an initial £100,000.

The money is vital or the hospice faces making cuts.

To support the appeal, visit www.gofundme.com/f/Bolton-News-Bolton-Hospice-appeal.