THE family of a former nurse have paid tribute to her dedication, by donating to the charity which she worked for.

Carol Goodwin cared for end of life patients, ensuring their final days and weeks were as comfortable as possible. She was a pioneer of Reiki therapy, offering a complimentary therapy service.

And her son Marc Goodwin added that some of her patients said they received the best therapy from her.

She died aged 78 on February 28, and a collection at her funeral raised £1,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Carol was originally from Surrey but lived in the Kells area of Whitehaven for many years.

Generations of the Goodwin family met in the Derwent Room of the charity’s base in Finkle Street, Workington, to hand over the donation in memory of Carol. Family gathered to see the money raised going to a cause that means a lot to them. Her son’s Jonathan and Marc along with Carol’s husband Ernie, who she first met in the sixties when he was doing national service.

Her son Jonathan explained the motivation behind choosing Hospice at Home, saying: “It was what my mum supported the most.”

Marc, who organised the donation, added: “Supporting the hospice was the obvious choice, to help raise the profile of what the charity does.”

Hayley McKay, head of marketing at Hospice at Home, said the connection between the charity and Carol is what moved them most: “It’s the fact that a family of one of our workers is remembering what was close to her heart. It’s great to see.”

Former colleague Anne Farrer recalled: “She was an angel, a really lovely person - and she had a peach of a sense of humour.”

Bernadette Crellin said they were 40 when she first met Carol, “And we stuck together ever since.”