People will have three days from tomorrow to double their impact for local hospice care thanks to a special matched giving event from Prospect Hospice.
Director of Patient Services Carolyn Bell
An anonymous local donor has pledged to match every donation made to the charity, up to a total value of £100,000, between 10am on Wednesday 26 August and 10pm on Friday 28 August.
That means every £1 donated becomes worth £2, including the value of purchases made in any of the charity's 18 shops during the event, helping twice as much money go towards supporting local patients and families.
Prospect Hospice supports local people living with life-limiting conditions, helping them receive expert care, comfort and support wherever they need it.
In addition to the charity’s Inpatient Unit at the hospice in Wroughton, around 87% of its specialist care is delivered in patients' homes and the community.
By providing practical care, clinical expertise and emotional support for those who wish to stay at home for as long as possible, the charity’s specialist nurses and healthcare professionals help patients remain comfortable, manage symptoms and spend precious time with those closest to them.
Those who experienced this care at first hand include Mary Cheston and her father, Richard.
After months in hospital receiving treatment for bowel cancer, Richard was able to return home to be with his family during his final weeks. Mary said: “We knew Dad wanted to die at home, not in a hospital.
"When I was caring for him at home, I got to the point where I thought, ‘I don't know what I'm doing anymore.’
“So, when the Prospect Hospice nurses came to the house, they changed a terrible situation into something that was beautiful, which you wouldn't think you'd say.
"I remember opening the door to them and feeling this huge sense of relief.
“Then the nurses would ask if we wanted a nurse overnight. I didn’t know they could do that, but that was exactly what we needed.
"They were like angels coming at all times of the day. I'd try and get over there first, but they'd already be there.
“After being his carer, I could finally be his daughter again.
“Then, when the time came, I was holding my dad’s hand and I was holding the nurse’s hand too. They gave me the time back to be his daughter and to say goodbye."
Director of Patient Services for Prospect Hospice, Carolyn Bell, said: “We know that many people would prefer to be cared for, and ultimately die, in the comfort of their own home if that is possible.
"Being surrounded by familiar home comforts and with the people you love close by, can make an enormous difference during the most difficult of times.
“We're incredibly grateful to this generous donor for creating an opportunity for our community to have twice the impact.
"Every donation, and every purchase made in our shops during the event, will help us continue providing compassionate specialist end of life and palliative care for local people and families when they need us most."
Every donation made during the matched giving event will go twice as far. For example, £18 could be doubled to £36, helping Prospect Hospice teams make four journeys to provide care and support in patients' homes.
A gift of £27 could be doubled to £54, helping a specialist nurse visit two patients at home, providing expert care, advice and reassurance, and £142, doubled to £284, could help provide two weeks of practical Prospect@Home support for someone living with a life-limiting condition.
The matched giving event opens at 10am on Wednesday 26 August and closes at 10pm on Friday 28 August.
To find out more or make a donation, visit: www.prospect-hospice.net/donate
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