Thanks for your kindness

CHARITIES have been in the news a lot in recent weeks and months, and not always for the right reasons.

As chief executive of a local charity – St Ann’s Hospice – I know the importance of organisations across the third sector never losing sight of their core purpose and values, of always putting their benefactors first, of remaining thankful to the people who generously fund their work.

Charities should be humble enough to recognise that they can only exist thanks to the kind support of their donors. But, they should also be confident enough to raise their heads up to shout about their cause, and bang the drum when needed. It’s not a time to be timid. Charities should be louder and prouder when it comes to raising awareness of the excellent work they do, especially when there’s so much public discussion taking place around the value and role of our sector. I’m pleased to say that as an organisation with a history of almost half a century of care, we are proud to have a loyal army of supporters who have always enabled us to care for our patients and their families with their generosity. We never, ever take those supporters for granted.

I never cease to be amazed at the ways in which people pull out all the stops in aid of our patients. With only around a third of our funding coming from the NHS, we simply couldn’t provide care without those kind donations. Whether people support our appeals such as Light up a Life or Forget Me Not, take part in events such as our Manchester Midnight Walk, or take time out to hold a fundraising quiz or tea party with friends or colleagues, the energy of the local people that make up the St Ann’s community never ends. On behalf of our patients and their families, we can’t thank you all enough. Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive, St Ann’s Hospice