Why Brian gives monthly to Mountbatten Isle of Wight “We can’t afford to lose Mountbatten — that’s why I give every month.” — Brian Rayner, pictured. When Brian Rayner thinks about Mountbatten, he thinks about family — his own, and the wider Island community that the hospice brings together. Brian’s connection to Mountbatten began when his eldest daughter, Nikki, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. “We didn’t know how we’d cope,” Brian remembers. “But Mountbatten stepped in and supported us every step of the way.” The nurses visited Nikki at home, always offering hope and comfort. When her pain became too much, Nikki chose to spend her final days at the hospice. Brian and his wife Janet stayed by her side. “The care we all received was beyond anything I could have imagined. The staff treated Nikki — and us — with such kindness and dignity. No request was ever too much. They made sure we could focus on being a family, even in the hardest moments.” A few years later, when Janet became seriously ill, Mountbatten was there again. “She wanted to be at home, and Mountbatten made that possible,” Brian shares. “It was such a frightening time, but the team checked in on us, answered our questions, and made sure Janet was comfortable. Just knowing they were there if we needed them gave us so much confidence.” After Janet died, Brian found himself in a very dark place. “I didn’t want to be here,” he says. “But Mountbatten’s bereavement support helped me find my feet again. Just having someone to talk to who understood what I was going through made all the difference.” Brian also found new purpose and connection through Mountbatten’s art class. “It’s the best decision I ever made. The camaraderie, the friendships, and the chance to express myself have been a lifeline. Walking through the doors at Mountbatten, the atmosphere changes completely. It’s heartwarming and uplifting. Everyone wants to help you.” "Walking through the doors at Mountbatten, the atmosphere changes completely. It’s heartwarming and uplifting. Everyone wants to help you.” — Brian Rayner Pictured: The John Cheverton Centre at Mountbatten Isle of Wight. Brian’s gratitude for Mountbatten’s care over the years has inspired him to give back. He bravely took on a skydive in memory of Nikki, and he now supports Mountbatten with a regular monthly donation. “I want to help make sure Mountbatten is always here for people who need it. We can’t afford to lose this place. If I were a millionaire, I’d give a fortune — but I know that regular donations, whatever people can give, are what really keep Mountbatten going.” Click here to set up a monthly gift today For Brian, making a regular monthly gift is about more than saying thank you — it’s about making sure Mountbatten is there for every family who needs them, now and in the future. “It’s the steady, reliable support from people like us that means Mountbatten can plan ahead and be there for every family, every time.” “It’s the steady, reliable support from people like us that means Mountbatten can plan ahead and be there for every family, every time.” — Brian Rayner Pictured: Members of Mountbatten Isle of Wight's community nursing and care at home team. By choosing to give monthly, you’ll become a ‘Friend of Mountbatten’ — a compassionate community dedicated to ensuring Mountbatten’s expert care and support is there for families facing the toughest times. If you can, please consider becoming a ‘Friend of Mountbatten’ and setting up a monthly gift today. Together, we can make sure that no one on our Island faces death, dying, or bereavement alone. “It gives me peace of mind to know I’m helping, even in a small way, to keep Mountbatten’s doors open for others,” Brian says. Click here to set up a monthly gift today Manage Cookie Preferences