A Lasting Legacy by Geoffrey Parnell

In June 2023 ELF were asked to provide transport for a blood cancer patient living in Winkleigh,  a two-hour round-trip to the Hematology Centre at the RD & E. This support was put into place straight away and the car journeys began.

The ELF drivers were charmed by Geoffrey Parnell from their first meeting. ELF driver Peter, who drove Geoffrey most often, recalls, “Geoffrey was a lovely gentle man in his early 70’s who lived alone with no family and very few friends. He always told us stories about his past during our journeys, he had certainly lived an interesting life working as a renowned Historian and Archaeologist, travelling all over the world. 

In the 80’s and 90’s he was responsible for the restoration of the Greenwich Observatory and also Windsor Castle following a major fire that destroyed 115 rooms in 1992. He also worked at the Tower of London – where this photo was taken.

The conversations on our journeys with Geoffrey were always interesting and entertaining. Which was just as well, as over the next six months ELF transported him to and from the RD&E over 50 times. 

Geoffrey had an intensive treatment plan which included six weeklong stays on Yarty Ward for chemotherapy, and twice a week, day case appointments for blood products. This left Geoffrey absolutely exhausted. But just before Christmas 2023 he was given the good news that he was in remission. Unfortunately, three months later Geoffrey relapsed, and his leukaemia had returned. He was offered more treatment, but he was reluctant to come back into hospital, even for palliative care.  

After a few phone calls with Geoffrey to check on how he was doing during this time, he agreed to come back into hospital and so ELF brought him back into Yarty Ward. 

After a week on the ward, he was transferred into a care home where he received palliative care until he passed away peacefully and with the dignity he deserved. 

Geoffrey touched all of our hearts, especially mine, and I know he greatly appreciated the support ELF gave him. I believe if it wasn’t for ELF, Geoffrey would quite possibly have passed away alone at home without anyone knowing. Helping patients like Geoffrey in their time of need makes me extremely proud to work for a charity like ELF.”

In October 2024 ELF were notified by Geoffrey’s executors that he had left us a gift in his Will as a thank you for all the help and support he had received during his treatment. We are extremely grateful to Geoffrey for his legacy donation, but more importantly we feel incredibly lucky to have known him and know that our support mattered to him. Geoffrey’s legacy ensures his memory will live on through ELF and the Haematology Centre and he will be remembered for being the kind, generous, interesting and entertaining gentleman that he was.

ELF exists to provide a variety of support to families in Devon living with blood cancer and is funded solely by voluntary donations and gifts in Wills.  We could not continue to support the patients, their families, or the nurses, doctors and consultants at the hospital without these incredibly generous gifts. 

If you would like to make a donation or to learn more about leaving a gift, click ‘MAKE A DONATION’  ‘LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY’

THANK YOU!