Meet the woman helping hospices in Bolton and Cape Town, even after her death

From Cape Town to Kearsley, Avril de Mink was a keen traveller who devoted her life to helping others.  Before she died, Avril felt as though her mission to give still wasn’t quite complete - her legacy to Bolton Hospice and the palliative care movement now continues to help others, even after her death.   

One of three sisters Avril grew up in Cape Town, South Africa.  It was there that she joined the religious life, taking her vows as a Sister and meeting her lifelong friend, Patricia.

The pair worked as spiritual group leaders for the Schoenstatt youth groups before Avril departed on her travels.  She spent time in Ireland and Germany before, ultimately, reconnecting with Patricia, settling in the UK and working as a minute taker at the Bolton Child Protection Unit for many years.

The two lived together for over 25 years, during which time they remained part of the religious community. They made regular visits back home to Cape Town and, on one of these visits, were reunited with a group of women that had once been part of their girls’ youth group. 

This group worked to set up the Maryland Palliative Hospice Centre - a South African hospice created from donated equipment and funding..

“I’m know I’m biased because I’m her sister, but Avril was brilliant.

She wanted to help everyone she could.  The ‘Maryland Utopia’ was just one of the ways she did this.

It’s now their third year running - they’ve fully trained one cohort of 15 girls and they’re on their way to fully training another.

The Maryland Hospice ladies had Avril’s name stitched into their uniforms in memory of her” – Edwina, Avril’s sister

Back home in Kearsley, as lockdown hit, Patricia was admitted to Bolton Hospice with terminal cancer. 

Avril was unable to visit Patricia at the hospice, as she herself was in pre-operation isolation, however she was kept updated with how comfortable and happy Patricia was.

Having heard about Patricia’s care, Avril decided to leave Bolton Hospice £10,000 in her will. 

To Bolton Hospice, Avril's £10,000 donation is equivalent to 10 years of upkeep of our Garden of Tranquilty, 414 hours of nursing care or 5,407 hours of vital oxygen.  

“Avril was so generous, always giving - nothing was ever enough.  She wanted other people to receive the care that Patricia did, including herself.

She had always voiced her desire to be cared for at Bolton Hospice and hoped there would be a bed available when the time came.

She understood the importance of funding.  Donations like Avril’s are a rubber stamp of gratitude that people find hard to show.” – Sheila, Avril’s friend

Shortly after she retired, Avril was diagnosed with cancer.  Eventually, she was admitted to Bolton Hospice. 

“Avril was incredibly grateful to be in the hospice.

We always kept in touch, she sent photos of the garden and lots of different meals.  I think that was something she was particularly impressed with!

We still live in Cape Town, so to know she was being so well looked after was an enormous comfort.

She couldn’t fault the care she received.  She described it as a totally welcoming experience from the staff and volunteers” – Linda, Avril’s sister

Avril died peacefully at Bolton Hospice in September 2025.

Did you know 1 in 5 of our patients are cared for by gifts left in wills, like Avril's?  Click here to find out more information.