September 2025 marked 25 years since Anne, Lady Neill DL became President of St Luke’s – a milestone that celebrates a quarter-century of passionate advocacy for hospice care in Sheffield.
Lady Neill, who was appointed President in 2000 following an invitation from the late Duchess of Devonshire, has been a constant champion for St Luke’s throughout a period of profound change and growth for the charity.
With a background in nursing, and being a long-time supporter of health and community causes in South Yorkshire, Anne Neill has always sought to be a “hands-on” President rather than simply a name on the letterhead.
“It has been an absolute honour to stand alongside the extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters who make St Luke’s what it is today,” she reflects.
“Everyone I meet– whether they’re on the wards, out in the community, cooking beautiful meals or keeping everything spotless – shares the same passion and common purpose. Every role is priceless. I’m simply representing all those amazing people who work, volunteer and give to keep this place going.”
“Good care is my passion. I believe that emotional support is as important as the best of medical care - and that is why I feel so at home advocating for St Luke’s care.”
Lady Neill’s connection goes back to the hospice’s founding ethos of “forward, forward” – the motto of its pioneering founder Professor Eric Wilkes – a man she describes as a “hero”.
“When I became Co-President alongside Professor Wilkes, he made it clear that we should never sit still but always look ahead to what patients and families will need next,” she recalls. “That vision still drives us – we’ve evolved constantly while never compromising on privacy, dignity and compassion.”
During her tenure, St Luke’s has transformed its facilities and services – from rebuilding its In Patient Centre in 2013 to meet modern standards of privacy, developing specialist community nursing teams that now support more patients in their own homes than in the hospice itself, and most recently creating a beautiful Family Suite so loved ones can spend precious time together in comfort.
Lady Neill describes the IPC redevelopment as one of her proudest moments:
“Raising £5 million during a time of national financial crisis to create a centre of excellence was daunting – but seeing what that investment achieved, and how beautifully it was done, was beyond anything I could have imagined.”
“We can be immensely proud of the challenges we’ve faced and the way we’ve overcome them. Throughout the Covid pandemic our care never faltered, proving that St Luke’s meets every test with unwavering dedication and the very best people by our side.”
Lady Neill’s passion for end-of-life care is rooted in her own family’s experience. Her father, a Sheffield GP, often relied on St Luke’s in its earliest days to care for his terminally ill patients. Her late husband, Sir Hugh Neill, was equally committed to St Luke’s; serving on the Council in its early years, and stepping down in 2000 when Lady Neill continued the family connection.
Years later, members of her own family, including a cousin cared for by the St Luke’s Community team earlier this year, have benefited directly from hospice support.
“This charity touches everyone in Sheffield in some way. When people visit and see what St Luke’s really does, they can’t deny how vital it is.”
As St Luke’s approaches its 55th anniversary in 2026, Lady Neill remains focused on the ongoing challenges of funding specialist care.
“When I joined, government funding covered around 45% of our running costs – today this figure stands at just 23%. Yet despite these challenges, we will never compromise on care.”
“We are widely recognised as a charity, but we need to be funded too through government support. We don’t want to have to face the catastrophic impact for what a Sheffield without St Luke’s would look like.”
St Luke’s new strategy envisions a world where patients and families facing terminal illness don’t feel alone, and receive the care and support to make the most of precious time and experience a good death.
Lady Neill says she is proud to champion that vision and is determined to help secure the funding to make it possible - calling on Sheffield’s community to “pay it forward” so future families can rely on St Luke’s too.
“I hope the next 25 years will bring more equitable NHS funding, but whatever changes come in medicine and society, I’m confident St Luke’s will keep evolving. That’s the secret of our success.”
When asked what she hopes her legacy will be, Lady Neill simply says: “That I cared, that I stood alongside people to encourage and support them – and managed to persuade others to listen – all for the sake of good care.”
Paying tribute to Lady Neill’s years of service, St Luke’s Chief Executive and Chief Nurse, Jo Lenton, said:
“Lady Neill’s warmth, tenacity and genuine care for our teams, patients and families make her an extraordinary President. Her compassion and dedication have helped us face challenges with courage and optimism – and we’re deeply grateful for her 25 years of leadership, which she continues to bring to St Luke’s today. We look forward to many more years ahead together.”