Hospiscare set to lose £1m by end of June

Urgent appeal for help to keep supporting terminally ill in Devon.

A local charity is urgently appealing to the community after losing a predicted £1 million in the next three months due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Hospiscare provides specialist end-of-life care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon. The charity continues to keep its doors open during the current crisis, caring for around 2,500 local people every year through its specialist ward in Exeter and its community nursing services that allow patients to be cared for at home.

Hospiscare supports local families through some of the most difficult times in their lives, but it can only do this with the support of the community.

It receives just 15% of its funding from the NHS and relies on fundraising to run its vital service. With the latest government guidance regarding gatherings, the charity has had to cancel its fundraising events for the foreseeable future as well as closing its charity shops.

Andrew Randall, Chie Executive of Hospiscare, commented, “We are calling on our community to help us; we need them more than ever before. We have lost all income from our fundraising events and public facing activities, including our shops.

“We are likely to have a loss of over £1 million by the end of June. We of course understand that everyone is in the same situation and people must prioritise their family, but if anyone has the financial ability to give to Hospiscare we are asking for your help - and to donate today.

“Thank you to everyone continuing to support us and our wonderful team who are doing an incredible job keeping our services going in this difficult time.”

There are a number of ways that you can support Hospiscare; you can join the weekly prize draw, you can make a one-off donation or set-up a monthly direct debit or consider a gift in your Will. To make a donation or find out more about supporting Hospiscare, please visit their website or call 01392 688020.