St Raphael’s Hospice has launched their very first Sponsor a Nurse Campaign to raise funds for the vital nursing care they provide for people in Merton and Sutton.
More than 1,000 local people facing life-limiting illnesses are cared for by St Raphael’s nurses each year. They are at the heart of the community, helping people in the comfort of their own homes and on the ward at the Hospice, at no charge.
Michelle Brocklehurst, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Raphael’s Hospice, shares: “This is a vital appeal for us, as we rely on the generosity of our community to help us carry out the important work we do. Our aim is to support everyone to live their life as they wish, making the most of every precious moment.”
She adds: “Nurses at St Raphael’s focus on living. We treat the person, not just the illness. By sponsoring a St Raphael’s nurse today, you will help ensure that people live the fullest life they can, until the end.”
It costs the charity a staggering £6.5M year to provide free specialist services to the people of Merton and Sutton, with only 25% of their funding coming from the NHS.
People can donate to St Raphael’s Sponsor a Nurse appeal by signing up for regular giving or with a one-off donation. The generosity of the community enables the charity’s nurses to be there for as many local people as possible, with a small monthly gift having a positive impact for months or years to come.
Nurse Michelle, St Raphael’s Community team & Nurse Lisa, St Raphael’s Hospice Inpatient Unit
Kate Billingham Wilson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at St Raphael’s Hospice, says: “Through this appeal, we hope that our entire community will get involved and feel like they are a part of the important work we are doing at their local Hospice. By giving as little as £10 per month, you will be helping your local palliative nurses in making a real difference to the lives of people in your community, when they need it most. We are so grateful to everyone in Merton and Sutton for their continued donations to the Hospice and hope that they will support our new Campaign.”
By sponsoring a St Raphael’s nurse with a monthly gift, you will receive a pin badge to wear with pride, personal updates from a local St Raphael’s nurse and two Raphaelite magazines a year. You can also make a one-off donation. To help make a positive difference, visit straphaels.org.uk/sponsoranurse or call the Supporter Care team on 020 8254 2450.
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About St Raphael’s Hospice
St Raphael’s Hospice is an independent charity providing free adult palliative and end of life care services for all who need it in Merton and Sutton, and offers support to families, carers and friends.
The Hospice cares for around 1,000 patients every year in its 13 bed Inpatient Unit (IPU) and in the community in patients’ homes. The majority of St Raphael’s patients are cared for at home and Hospice staff work alongside community healthcare professionals such as GPs and District Nurses, offering guidance, specialist support and advice as needs arise.
St Raphael’s expert team is made up of clinicians including doctors, nurses, and their associates, counsellors, therapists and a social worker who all work together to provide vital care. The Hospice also provides counselling and bereavement services to support patients and those important to them.
Its Wellbeing Centre is open to everyone living in Merton and Sutton who are over 18 and are closely affected by someone with a progressive life-limiting illness. St Raphael’s is proud to have been at the heart of the community since 1987. For more information, please visit www.straphaels.org.uk
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Lead Photo: Nurse Martina – St Raphael’s Hospice Sponsor a Nurse Campaign
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