Eleanor Essay: Upton

I had the fortune to meet Pat Nickson in 2008 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pat had herself recently been diagnosed with cancer and had the idea of starting a support group to be held at the Sisters of Jesus Way in West Kirby, Wirral. She invited me along.

There were probably never two more different people than Pat and I. She had spent her life caring and working amongst people in the DR Congo, and I had never lived anywhere other than the Wirral, but somehow we just got on. She was a great conversationalist and would often visit me at home and we would chat and laugh and drink tea together. Pat was so ordinary and yet so extra ordinary

Pat asked me to give a talk about my job as a policewoman to the cancer support group one week. I dressed up in my uniform and put her into handcuffs during the talk. She took this really well and had her photograph taken for the local church magazine. It made me laugh because she had probably never been handcuffed before, and I had never during my 26 years in the police service had to handcuff such a highly decorated woman (Reverend, Doctor and OBE)!

My time with Pat was short but so memorable, and I consider myself fortunate to have met her. She was inspirational in such a simple uncomplicated way of just coming along side and talking, giving time and love without wishing for anything in return. She will long be remembered, and I am much the richer for having known her.

Eleanor Essay