Group is all action for cause
Pals raise thousands
A big-hearted bunch of friends from Hamilton and Bothwell have jumped into action to support a hospice that is struggling financially due to the coronavirus situation.
Christine Sherry, Yvonne Dorrans, Sue Taylor, and Lesley Singh responded quickly after learning that Kilbryde Hospice was losing roughly £90,000 per month because its usual fundraising activities have had to be cancelled.
Christine, along with her relatives in the Mortimer family, serve on the board of directors for the hospice, which is based at University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride.
The hospice provides palliative care and support to patients with illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.
The team also provides care at home and
counselling services, supporting patients and families from across the area.
Chief executive Gordon McHugh admitted that the hospice is under pressure to plug the funding gap, but is very optimistic because the community are rallying round.
Gordon said: “We now have a reduction in income of around £90,000 per month, however we’ve turned the situation on its head thanks to support from the community.
“The Mortimer family, along with a number of their friends from Hamilton and Bothwell, are doing a challenge to raise £90,000.
“There are also nurses from Hairmyres carrying out activities to support us, and I recently did a singing fundraiser from my own home which raised around £9000.
“It’s all about asking our supporters to think differently about fundraising in these circumstances because we can’t come together because of restrictions.
“Now that lockdown measures have been lifted slightly, can people come up with ideas of fundraising under social distancing measures?
“The hospice is here to stay, it’s not going anywhere. The lack of fundraising income just means we have to consider ways of doing things another way. It’s a really good opportunity for people to get creative and really put the fun into fundraising.”
Kilbryde Hospice recently posted on social media calling for people to take part in the ‘lockdown challenge for Kilbryde Hospice’ — which is for fundraisers to come up with clever ways raising cash.
The hospice stated: “You can be as creative as you like coming up with your challenge – whether it’s a family 5K, a 10K run or maybe something a bit different like a dare challenge or a fancy dress walk – as long as you can raise £250, you can do anything you like.
“What about a Tik Tok challenge? That seems to be the lockdown craze.”
During the pandemic, the hospice has been providing vital support to NHS Lanarkshire, helping with the need of COVID-19 patients – that’s on top of continuing to provide vital services for the terminally ill.
As well as providing 12 beds for ‘end of life’ care, the state-of the-art facility – a lasting legacy of late founder Tony McGuinness – offers a range of day facilities including drop-in sessions, counselling, care at home, music therapy, complimentary therapy, a befrienders service and sanctuary room.
●Can you host a virtual fundraiser, a family friendly quiz or a virtual cream tea? If so, get in touch with the Kilbryde Hospice fundraising team on 01355 202020.
It’s all about asking our supporters to think differently about fund raising in these circumstances...