Peace Hospice calls for help

Providing free specialist support for people and their families facing a life-limiting illness across South West Hertfordshire and the wider area, local charity Peace Hospice are calling for help

Providing free specialist support for people and their families facing a life-limiting illness across South West Hertfordshire and the wider area, local charity Peace Hospice are calling for help.

A statement from the Peace Hospice:

“Peace Hospice Care has put out a call for help as it continues to deliver its services to those with life-limiting illnesses in the local community during the Coronavirus pandemic.  It is asking individuals and organisations to share its messages on social media, to help the charity raise vital funds so it can continue to deliver its essential services and for donations of type IIR fluid resistant surgical masks.

“The charity’s income has been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, with fundraising events postponed and its 11 charity shops closed.  It is continuing, however, to support patients both in its Inpatient Unit and in the community.  The charity estimates that it stands to lose up to £2.4 million against its budgeted income for 2020/21.”

Speaking about the impact, Declan Carroll, Chief Executive of Peace Hospice Care, said:

“We are still taking referrals for our services and our priority is to continue to care for patients and their families safely at this challenging time.   The local community has been fantastic in helping us to do that – with donated items and money as well as many messages of support, we are so very grateful.   

“We know that this is such a difficult time for everyone but we are asking for help.  Whilst we do have robust reserves to mitigate events such as these, we are doing everything possible to minimise our reliance on these reserves given the uncertain future we face.  So, we’re asking the local community to carry on supporting us in any way they can:

• With donations of Personal Protective Equipment – in particular, type IIR fluid resistant surgical masks.
• Making monetary donations via our website: www.peacehospicecare.org.uk/donate.
• Keeping hold of unwanted items that they might want to donate, until our charity shops are open again and can receive them.
• Sharing our news on social media so that more people are aware of our free services and how, and who, we help.”

Peace Hospice Care continues to support patients in its Inpatient Unit and in the community in patients’ homes.  It is also using technology to support some patients remotely to ensure they continue to receive care, support and advice at this difficult time.