Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Hospice sets up care appeal fundraiser
St Andrew’s Hospice has launched a special fundraiser to help continue its vital services following a severely-impacted fundraising year.
The Airdrie charity has set up an Urgent Care Appeal, asking for supporters to help by making donations of varying amounts to fund its work.
Hospice officials say: “Our events, retail and community fundraising income have been limited due to Covid-19 restrictions throughout the past year – and it’s had a terrible effect on our finances.
“We urgently need your help to fund care for hundreds of people living with a lifelimiting illness across Lanarkshire; the end of this pandemic is in sight, but the hospice won’t be able to care for everyone who needs us without your support.”
Appeal organisers highlighted the impact of various donations – noting that £29 would fund three nutritious meals per week for a patient and their carer living at home; £50 would pay for two hours of expert hospice care; £76 would fund three online bereavement counselling sessions; and £150 would fund four weeks of online meetings between patients and hospice team members.
Coatbridge resident Joan, who has motor neurone disease, has benefited from the hospice’s Wellbeing@home and Hearty Meals services.
She told how the wellbeing group switched from in-person sessions to virtual meetings when lockdown began last March, saying: “I hadn’t used anything like a video call before – the hospice was wonderful, setting everything up and showing me how to use email and how to join a Zoom call.
“I get to have sessions on-screen with my group every week – we talk, share experiences and have exercise classes like tai chi, which I like as it keeps my joints moving and keeps me going.
“The other thing that has made a huge difference is the hospice’s meals at home service.
“I can’t cook for myself these days and I’d been relying on my carers heating a meal for me – the hospice meals are proper, homecooked food and are just amazing.”
Joan added: “I’ve missed seeing people so much this past year.
“Knowing that the outpatients and community team will be calling me and knowing that I’ll see my friends in my wellbeing group each week has kept me going.
“The St Andrew’s team have worked so hard to keep me looking forward to better times ahead, and they’ve been a lifeline for me and hundreds of others.”
She said of the Urgent Care Appeal: “If you’re able to help them – and I know they really need it just now – we’re the ones that will feel the benefit, and we’ll all be thankful to you.”
Donations to the Urgent Care Appeal can be made online at www.st-andrews-hospice. com/urgent-care-appeal/ or by calling the fundraising team at St Andrew’s Hospice on 01236 766951.
Maintenance contractor Mears has received a special industry award for its response during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company, which maintains homes and properties for North Lanarkshire Council, received the order of distinction from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) after quickly setting up key safety principles as lockdown began.
Staff immediately worked on ensuring supplies of personal protective equipment to protect employees and the people they serve in the community; while increased communications took place with residents to update them on essential works.
Mears has 390 tradespeople who complete repairs at North Lanarkshire’s 36,700 council homes and its 1200 public buildings and have been working to complete essential maintenance throughout the pandemic.
Coatbridge resident John Mcmullen is a painter and decorator and has been completing domestic and non-housing repairs for almost five decades.
He said: “I’ve lived and worked through many challenges, but nothing like this.
“The pandemic has impacted everyone in different ways, and I know that it’s been hard for many because I talk with people about it every day in my job, as do my colleagues.
“Knowing that we’re making a positive difference to people’s lives is a privilege; each day brings a new set of challenges, but we’re focused on the job – that’s our number one priority.”
Robert Steenson, the council’s executive director of enterprise and communities, added: “This award is testament to everyone who works for Mears and the commitment they have shown to keeping people in our communities safe during these difficult times.
“The response of so many individuals to the coronavirus pandemic has been incredible and really brought out the best in humanity.
“With partner organisations like Mears, we’re doing everything we can to ensure that vital services such as essential repairs continue and that the most vulnerable people in our society are cared for and supported.”