A WIDOW has signed up to a charity's annual fundraising campaign to thank the nurses who cared for her husband.

Derek Vaughan Williams died in 2014, exactly a year after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, in his home with his family by his side.

Ann cared for him at their Prestatyn home from November 2013, but in March 2014 she started receiving support from Marie Curie who provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.

With their help, Derek was able to stay at home in his final year.

Rhyl Journal:

Ann and Derek with grandchildren Holly and Millie

Along with her family and friends, Ann has collected thousands for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

She is now gearing up for her annual support of Marie Curie by signing up to The Great Daffodil Appeal.

Ann met Derek, a joiner by trade, at a dance and the pair married in 1964. Derek’s diagnosis came following a knee replacement operation in May 2013, when his physiotherapy and recovery was slow.

He was referred to a neurology consultant in Liverpool who diagnosed Derek with Motor Neurone Disease.

"This was a dreadful shock," said Ann.

"Derek’s response to this was 'I’ve got it let’s get on with it' - Neither of us at that time knew very much about this disease.”

Following the diagnosis, the couple’s dining room was converted to a bedroom and Ann began providing care for Derek.

The year after, the district nurse arranged Marie Curie support.

Ann said: "I didn’t actually know what they did - I thought they came in to the house to sleep.

"Each time I was getting a nurse for that evening, it was a huge relief to know I would be able to get a full night’s sleep and be ready to face the next day fully refreshed.

"There was one night when I said to a Marie Curie Nurse, 'Derek would like to watch the football match would that be alright.’ She was delighted as she was a football fan and watched it with Derek in his room whilst I went to bed upstairs.

"It was 24/7 care with social services and Marie Curie and I don’t think I could have kept him at home without the support from Marie Curie. I don’t think I would have survived. He lost the use of his arms and legs so everyday Derek needed help with basic functions."

Despite Derek's illness, the couple, who had two daughters Andrea and Kate and two grandchildren Holly and Millie, were still able to enjoy happy times.

Ann said: "Before I met Derek, he was in Nancy Clark’s formation dance team. He was a great dancer and even went to the Royal Albert Hall with his dance partner to compete.

“This was before the Strictly Come Dancing Fever. I was so proud of him. If you couldn’t dance and danced with Derek you would be able to dance after a whirl round the ballroom.

“Dancing was our passion and we would often put on an impromptu dancing performance in the house much to the embarrassment of our two daughters who admit they both have two left feet."

The Marie Curie appeal sees volunteers give two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s daffodil pin.

Talking about Derek’s final days, Ann said: “A Marie Curie nurse was available on a Tuesday night before he died but none on the Wednesday night. It was fortuitous because I slept beside him all that night.

“When the carers came in the morning to see to him and sat him in the lounge our two daughters and myself sat with him and comforted him. He passed away so peacefully with our daughters and myself present. I will be forever grateful to all the carers and Marie Curie nurses."

To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or telephone Laura Ellis-Bartlett, North East Wales community fundraiser, on 01745 352 910.