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Rising number want the right to die at home, survey reveals
MORE and more people in the region want the right to die at home, a new survey conducted for the Yorkshire Post shows.
The findings are part of an exclusive YouGov poll ahead of Sir Ranulph Fiennes's Everest expedition in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, which wants everyone to have the right to chose where they spend their final days.
The results were published as Sir Ranulph gave a Press conference outlining his challenge, which aims to raise 3m for the charity's work.
The survey, carried out between March 20-25 among 1,050 people from Yorkshire, shows that 66 per cent of people would choose to die at home, up from 64 per cent in just two months.
A further 86 per cent agree that if someone is terminally ill they should have the option to die at home, up from 80 per cent in two months. Thirty-seven per cent of respondents had discussed with their loved ones how they would like to spend their last days, rising to 46 per cent of those aged over 55.
Through fundraising activities such as Sir Ranulph's Everest expedition, Marie Curie Cancer Care aims to raise enough money to provide quality palliative care nationwide.
At yesterday's Press conference Sir Ranulph said he was moved to support the charity after he lost his mother, his first wife Ginny and his two sisters, the latter three to cancer, all within an 18-month period.
The Everest bid was revealed in the Yorkshire Post earlier this month but was officially announced at yesterday's event in London. The expedition is being funded by Yorkshire millionaire Paul Sykes, who also funded the YouGov survey.
Sir Ranulph said: "Given the choice most people would choose to die at home, surrounded by the people they love. I have seen first-hand the difference that can make."
This will be the second attempt on Everest for the 64-year-old adventurer after he abandoned first expedition in 2005 because of heart problems.
Accompanied by expedition guide Kenton Cool and medic Robert Casserley, he will take the South Col route from Nepal first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
There will, however, be restrictions on the climb as the Chinese and Nepalese authorities are closing the mountain to make way for a party carrying the Olympic torch.
To prepare for the expedition, Sir Ranulph has been spending time with Mr Cool, who has ascended Everest five times, near his home in Chamonix, France, for altitude, climate and rock-climbing training.
The team aims to reach the summit between May 15-25.
To make a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care, contact Julia Bailey on 0113 214 7901 or 07795 564 813, or write to her at Marie Curie Cancer Care, Chantry House, Victoria Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3JB.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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