A HOSPICE has appealed to Worcestershire residents to step forward and support its new 36-hour fundraiser as it looks to raise half a million pounds to continue its vital services.
The Every Moment Matters appeal comes in one of the most financially challenging periods in the charity’s 41-year history and in the wake of the hospice redesigning its clinical services and restructuring its workforce.
The 36-hour fundraiser will run from Sunday 28 September to Monday 29 September, during which time the charity is hoping to raise £500,000 of the £12 million it will cost to keep its services running this year. All donations made by supporters will be doubled thanks to generous hospice funders who are matching funds raised pound for pound.
The charity is looking for people to sign up to be a hospice champion.
Champions will reach out to family, friends and their wider networks to raise awareness of the campaign over the urgent 36-hour period.
Carole Robins has signed up as a campaign champion in memory of her husband Larry who lived with Parkinson’s Disease before he died in December 2024.
Mrs Robins, from Kempsey, said: “There were times when I was lost, and I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew I could ring the hospice and there would be someone there to help me. It’s like this great big hug.
“I will always be grateful for everything St Richard’s did; they made our life wonderful. And I hope they can carry on doing that for other people.”
Last year, St Richard’s supported more than 3,100 people across Worcestershire.
Abby Holliday, Director of Business and Income Generation at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “Here at St Richard’s we know every moment matters. Moments of care, moments of comfort, moments which celebrate the life you’ve lived. But these moments are becoming harder to make; this year has been one of the most financially challenging in our 41-year history.
“By supporting our Every Moment Matters appeal and becoming a hospice champion you will be making such a difference, especially as for 36 hours all the money raised will be doubled. Anyone giving £20 will see this doubled to £40 before their eyes!
“It takes a couple of minutes to sign up and you’ll receive a thank you email with some easy read information about the campaign which explains more. Together we can create moments which live on in the memories of patients and families all over the county. Thank you.”
To find out more and to sign up, visit: https://www.charityextra.com/everymomentmatters/signup
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.