A family facing their first Christmas without a loved husband and father have spoken out about the “incredible” care they received after he died on Boxing Day, hours after telling his wife he loved her.

Dave Ferguson, from Gravesend, passed away at the EllenorLions Hospice in Coldharbour Road, months after being diagnosed with cancer. He was 60.

His final days were spent with wife Gilly and son Scott by his bedside, which included one last Christmas dinner together before his death.

As relatives approach the one-year anniversary of his death and prepare for their first Christmas without him, they spoke about the loving care he received.

Gilly said: “I will never forget my husband telling me on Christmas Day that he loved me, just hours before he took his final breath.

“My darling Dave, who I was blessed to be married to for 40 years, slipped away on Boxing Day morning while in the compassionate care of EllenorLions Hospices.

“He spent six days on the charity’s inpatient unit, where my son Scott and I could stay by his side and spend precious moments together as a family.

“Caring smiles from the nurses and a lovely turkey lunch, which sadly we couldn’t eat from worry, made our final Christmas Day with Dave one to always treasure.”

Dave fell ill in 2013 while on a cruise celebrating his 60th birthday.

It was supposed to be the first of two major family celebrations with Dave and Gilly set to toast their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

But their hearts were broken, just after Gilly made a successful recovery from her own cancer diagnosis.

Although Dave was unable to beat the disease, his wife said she would be forever grateful for the care he received in his dying days. Gilly added: “The pain from our nightmare was eased by EllenorLions – they were our guardian angels.

“Dave was visited by the Hospice@Home team who helped to keep his symptoms under control. They also looked after his mental wellbeing by providing much-needed counselling.

“A carer’s course ran by the charity also helped me to cope and come to terms with the heartbreaking reality that I was slowly losing Dave.

“Words cannot even begin to describe just how incredible the staff on the inpatient unit were – they ensured Dave died with dignity and they supported our whole family through our saddest days.

“As we approach our first Christmas without Dave I feel strong knowing EllenorLions are still there to support us and I feel at peace knowing he died in a place of love with his family.

“Our seven-year-old grandson Callum has suggested we now call Boxing Day ‘Grampies Day’, and we will remember him for the wonderful man he was.

“Sadly there will be many more families facing the same nightmare we faced last Christmas so please make a donation and ensure EllenorLions care is always there.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/EllenorLions-Hospices-Christmas-2014/