Hospice appeals for help

IDEAS and expertise are being sought by an Oban charity as it plots a new direction.

Oban Hospice has been raising funds since 1997 and the charity’s mission has always been to support best practise in Lorn and the islands but over the years the hospice and its aims have widened considerably.

David Entwhistle became chairman of the trustees three years ago after a career in social work spanning four decades.

He and fellow board members are hoping to raise the charity’s profile ahead of their upcoming annual meeting following admissions from former donors that they had stopped supporting the charity because they were unclear where their money was going.

David said: ‘ We are not the best at blowing our own trumpet but every penny raised locally by Oban Hospice is spent locally. That is what we want to stress.

‘There are three strands to our work at the moment. Patient beds and beds for relatives, a day service one day a week, and a paid worker who supports people with advice, provides information about groups, clubs and alternative treatments suitable for that individual.’

Oban Hospice had hoped to build a dedicated hospice with beds and overnight capacity but the focus will now be more on care in the community.

Andreas Wolff, chairman of Oban Hospice, added: ‘We have to thank the people of Oban for their generosity thus far. We have realised our limitations but we have also made progress. We are in negotiations with a company regarding potential premises for the all- encompassing hospice.

The AGM will take place on Monday May 23 at 7pm in Glencruitten Church Hall. For more information call 07717 240659.