AN 88-YEAR-OLD St Barnabas House patient and a ten-year-old schoolboy have become pen pals after meeting through a hospice project.

The pioneering St Barnabas Schools Project invites local schoolchildren to visit the hospice to learn about its care, as well as exploring issues such as life, death and bereavement.

Don Pearman, who lives alone in Worthing, was referred to St Barnabas in July after receiving news that he had incurable heart failure.

The former Royal Air Force officer admitted that before visiting St Barnabas, he was “very close to giving up”. He said: “My health had suddenly been taken away from me and I couldn’t see a future. I’d gone from being really active, to thinking, for God’s sake, just let me go.

“But when I walked through the door to the day hospice, I could feel the happiness. Even though people are unwell, I could hear laughter and joking.

“There was such a lovely atmosphere. The whole experience has completely turned around my perspective on life.”

Don lost Doreen, his wife of 49 years, in 2004, and has since lost both his son and daughter to cancer.

Now he takes part in the schools project alongside fellow patients – and it was there he met Ollie Samson, a pupil from Orchards Junior School in Goring.

Don said: “When I was asked if I wanted to join the schools project, I thought, what, children. I was a bit nervous the first time. But we all just chatter away and now I absolutely love it.

“Before Christmas, I was paired up with this lovely lad called Ollie.

“When his mum came in on the final day, Ollie gave me a nice thank you card, and I was really happy when they asked if he could write to me again.”

Thanks to the St Barnabas scheme, Don and Ollie have now exchanged letters and Don said he “really values the companionship”.

He said: “I get by all right on my own but I don’t get many letters these days so I enjoy it when one comes through the post from Ollie.

“I enjoy reading what Ollie’s been up to.

“He asks me about my family, my travels around the world and my time in the Royal Air Force. There’s lots to tell him. I’ve had some rare old times.

“Even though there’s a 78-year age gap, I’m pleased that we get on so well. It makes me feel like I’m young again. I think back to the little old school I went to and all the fun we had, even though there was a war going on. I say to Ollie, enjoy your school life as it passes fast.”

Ollie thought the hospice would be “a bit of a scary place” when told about visiting St Barnabas House with his classmates.

But he said: “When I came to St Barnabas for the first time with my school, I saw that it was a very lovely place.

“We visited once a week for three weeks and the people were really friendly and caring.

“It was a lot of fun getting to know Don and I’m glad the hospice helps him so much. After the project finished, I wanted to stay in touch with him. I was happy when the headteacher gave me his address to send a card to. I really enjoy receiving Don’s letters and hearing his stories.”