40th birthday tea parties for Strathcarron
Strathcarron Hospice is inviting people to celebrate its 40th anniversary next month by joining in a special tea party.
Supporters are being asked to host their own Big Virtual Birthday Tea on April 24, marking four decades since the Denny hospice opened its doors.
The event, however will also be helping nurses and frontline staff to continue to care for all those who need them now and in the future.
While the hospice team had hoped to be able to celebrate the landmark very differently, they are hoping to harness the love and admiration local communities have for Strathcarron despite any Covid-19 restrictions.
A spokesperson said: “We are asking people to get together virtually with friends, family or colleagues on April 24 and raise vital funds to support our services.
“Think Zoom, WhatsApp, Teams or Facebook. Think home baking, bake-off style competitions, online quizzes or fancy dress. However you decide to host yours, we are here to support you every step of the way.
“We’ve got a virtual background you can use on Zoom, an 80s themed quiz and recipe ideas to try at home.”
The Big Virtual Birthday Tea is being sponsored by Candied Ice Cream Parlour and 103.1 Central FM who’ll have an afternoon of entertainment live on air from noon-6pm on April 24.
Since its opening on April 21, 1981, the hospice has provided palliative care for thousands of patients across the Forth Valley and Cumbernauld and support for their families.
The idea of a hospice and the planning started in 1975 when Dr Harold Lyon met with a few friends to consider whether their vision of “professional excellence and Christian compassion in a place that would be a home from home” was achievable.
The hospice purchased the house, Randolph Hill, in 1978, and spent nearly £250,000 converting it to provide 12 beds, but there was always an aspiration to have a purpose-built in-patient unit as well as day care, home care and education services. All that and more has now been achieved over the 35 years.
The charity’s services are still provided free of charge wherever they are needed – in people’s own homes, in hospitals and care homes and in the hospice itself in Denny. In 2016 alone it cost £5.8million to deliver the services, £2 million of which was received from the NHS, however they needed to raise more than £11,000 a day from fundraising and donations.
For more information about any events contact the Strathcarron fundraising team on 01324 826222 or email fundraising@strathcarronhospice.net.
Sign up to hold your own tea party for the hospice at bit.ly/BigVirtualBirthdayTea