INSPIRATIONAL, bring joy to me every time I meet them and caring.

Those are just some of the phrases used at the end of a project celebrating life and living well despite illness at Warrington Guardian's charity of the year St Rocco's.

RocON! has seen year six pupils from St Lewis Primary School in Croft pair with patients at the hospice over the last four weeks to learn about end of life care.

The project culminated with an emotional celebration afternoon last Wednesday as patients described what it meant to them spending time with the children while pupils described how inspired they had been by their partners' courage.

Perpetina Lourdusamy said being part of the project was 'amazing'.

The 46-year-old mum, from Culcheth, has been attending St Rocco's after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year.

The mum-of-five, who still has two small children aged six and three at home, added: "The children say some really amazing things which make you think how simple life can be and I think adults should incorporate that into their lives rather than complicating things.

"They were always laughing and giggling and brought so much light and happiness.

"I have to simplify things for my children whereas they can understand here a bit more about life and death."

Perpetina was paired with Lucy Burnham, aged 10, and Isabelle Gall, aged 11, who said they had learnt a lot from their partner.

They added: "You can't tell anyone here has got cancer at all and they're very kind and helpful and always thinking about others."

Jan Temenos, who led the project, said the sessions had been ‘life changing’ for many of those involved.

She added: “RocON! far exceeded our expectations.

"Working with the children reminded patients there is more to life than their illness they are carrying and paradoxically, St Rocco’s is a place where you can be happy and sad at the same time.

"In turn, the pupils learned that even if you are very sick you can still be very happy and St Rocco’s is so much more than a place you go to die.

"We’re hoping these pupils will now be our ambassadors and it was lovely to hear one of them say she is happy that the hospice belongs to everyone in Warrington.”