Great grandad Sergio donates cannonball

People are often inspired to donate when they experience the care at Saint Francis Hospice, but it’s unusual to receive a 200-year-old solid metal cannonball. Here great grandad Sergio explains why he decided to donate the historic shot, which his wife Maria found while digging up weeds at their former home in Barking 26 years ago.

I moved to England from Egypt in 1956 and it was while I was on holiday in Calabria in South Italy that I met Maria. We married and she came back to England with me. I worked hard to provide for Maria and our two children and give them the best life I could.

I was always fit and healthy but around 8 years ago I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which is a blockage in my lungs. Over the years my health deteriorated. I am now on oxygen 24 hours a day and I am only able to walk a short distance.  Being at home is like being in a prison as I can’t go out.

When Tricia, a community nurse from Saint Francis Hospice came to see me, she asked if I would like someone to come and speak with me to cheer me up.

Sue from the Family Support Team has been coming to visit me at my home in Chadwell Heath since July. She is a very nice person and I really look forward to her visits. We talk and we have a laugh. I like to chat and it really helps to see other people. I am also able to attend the music group from home which takes place every three weeks. I have the phone beside me and I love listening to the songs.

I told Sue about the cannonball which Maria found in the garden years ago. At the time we took it to Valence House Museum and although they couldn’t tell me where it was from, they estimated it was between 150 to 200 years old.

When Sue came back for a second visit, I decided I would like to donate it to Saint Francis Hospice as it has just been sitting here all these years. I’m so pleased the retail team will be selling it on eBay and I hope they raise lots of money to help more people who need the charity’s services.

Sergio's cannonball sold on eBay for £24.99, which could pay for an hour of care on our ward! Not bad for something found in the garden!