Wroughton-based Prospect Hospice says it faces a critical financial shortfall which threatens the independent specialist end-of-life care the charity provides.
Rising costs and stagnant government funding have left the hospice £1m short of what is needed this year.
Charlotte Forrest, the new director of income generation at Prospect Hospice, said: “The gap in our funding is a serious threat to the vital services we provide.
"We urgently need the support of our community to continue offering the high level of care and support that our patients and their families rely on.
“Since I joined the team here in February, I’ve been blown away by the determination and generosity of our supporters, patients, their families, and our community. Last year Prospect Hospice cared for more than 2,000 patients completely free of charge.
"The truth is, we simply couldn’t do that without support from the public.”
With prices rising rapidly and more people than ever needing care, the charity is urging the community to help bridge the financial gap. Even small donations can make a significant difference in ensuring that families such as those of Sinéad and her late husband, Harry, receive the care they need during the toughest times of their lives.
“Harry was a rare case – he was just 25,” said Sinéad. “His cancer caused paralysis, so from the beginning, the hospice’s physio team was involved. Their ability to adapt and tailor the service was incredible. They came to our house and provided a positive focus for him every day, giving us structure, routine, and hope during a devastating time.
"I don’t know how we’d have managed without them.”
Sinéad continues to advocate and fundraise for the hospice, understanding deeply the devastating consequences of service cuts. “It’s my worst fear because I know how much our family depended on them.”
People can support the hospice by giving a one-off donation or setting up a regular monthly gift. A donation of £25 could pay for an hour of support from a nurse, giving family and friends a much-needed break from caring for their loved one, while £60 could pay for an hour’s stay on our inpatient unit for a patient and their family, so they can enjoy their final hours together, and £100 could pay for a series of specialist physio sessions for a patient like Harry.
Further information can be found at www.prospect-hospice.net/helpourhospice
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