Trinity Hospice’s appeal to help buy or replace comfort items is over half way to achieving its target thanks to generous support from the Fylde coast. Hospice bosses say they are overwhelmed at the reaction to their appeal, and have now raised enough to buy two ‘cuddle beds’ – larger hospice beds which allow patients to spend precious final moments in the arms of loved ones.
But the appeal is far from over, with other items such as patient chairs, matrasses and tables urgently needed and sofas and chairs for the hospice’s dedicated family room.
Chief executive, David Houston, said: “Here at Trinity, we rely on our community in order to care for those who need us. And at Christmas – just as any other day of the year – our hospice is a place of love and comfort for our patients and loved ones.
“But, since we get so little support from the Government, our focus is always on spending money on providing that care – paying for our dedicated, specialist care teams so that no-one in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre dies from palliative illness alone, in pain and without dignity.
“It means the items you would consider vital – the beds, the chairs, the tables – are paid for with charity money, as is everything we must pay for. And as our costs have increased year after year but the money we get from the State has, at best, stayed still, it means we need our community this Christmas.
“It’s wonderful that they have already shown such generosity. The cuddle bed we can buy will make such a difference to our patients as well as their loved ones, giving them chance to create special moments here in the hospice under our care.
“But we need more. Please donate what you can – the cost of a present this Christmas will mean so much to those we are privileged to care for.”
As well as the cuddle beds, the hospice is hoping for enough money to buy:
- Riser-recliner chairs which are adjustable and fully recline for someone who wants to spend the night. They also enable patients to sit, fully supported, outside their bed – with wheels so that they can be transported around the hospice and into the garden
- Specialist mattresses which adjust automatically to gently ease the pressure on patients who may spend much of their time in bed
- Adjustable and mobile over-bed tables which are perfect to store everything a patient needs close to hand, such as their phone, book and snacks, ensuring that they are able to maintain a bit of independence, accessing what they need without support
- Sofas and chairs for the dedicated family room – a warm, welcoming space that gives families the chance to share a meal or play a game together or just sit and chat.
To support Trinity this Christman and help the hospice buy urgent equipment for patients to spend precious moments in comfort with their loved ones, visit www.trinityhospice.co.uk/christmas.
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CAPTION: Trinity Hospice CEO, David Houston
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