Hospice appeals for support following cancellation of funding events

A struggling hospice is appealing for support from people who missed out on the cancelled London Marathon to support it with a shorter sponsored run.

Greenwich & Bexley Hospice could end up millions of pounds short of cash in the coming months as a result of the closure of its 17 shops and the scrapping of many of its fundraising projects during lockdown.

But the number of patients it is caring for with a critical illness has almost doubled in the past month from an average 400 to nearly 700 – and the demand will grow.

That will lead to a shortfall in income – and it already costs more than £23,000 a day to provide care – but two-thirds of its income comes from local fundraising.

The London Marathon, due to take place this Sunday, would have provided a big cash injection, but it has been postponed until October 4 because of lockdown.

So it has asked supporters to get involved in the 2.6 Challenge, which marathon organisers are staging virtually to keep people fit and raising money for charities until they can leave their homes again.

A statement from the hospice said: “At Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice we are here for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“The high impact of Covid-19 means we are needed now, more than ever. Our nurses and doctors are stepping forward, ready to do whatever it takes to ensure those on our inpatient unit, in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and those that are

being cared for in their own homes, continue to receive the highest quality, compassionate care and support that we can give.

“Our community is already being amazing, helping us in so many ways including donating protective equipment and sending in treats for our staff.”

Nurses are currently on lockdown on the ward with the patients for each of their 12-hour shifts, so that the virus has as little chance as possible of reaching the critically ill patients inside.

Staff are using computer links, Skype and phone calls to ensure that care is available to everyone that needs it.

Chief executive Kate Heaps said: “I cannot tell you how fantastic the whole hospice team have been. Everyone has rallied together, nurses in all settings, our doctors, our social worker, physiotherapists, admin staff, housekeepers, estates, fundraisers, shop staff, the support staff and our amazing volunteers – all doing whatever needs to be done to ensure we are able to keep going and to provide care wherever it is needed.

“This is a scary time for everyone, but all of the team continue to put our patients, their families and the hospice first – they all make me so proud and they make the difficult job of leading the hospice so much easier.

“Without our charity shops, or our loyal local supporters raising money for us through events, we are expecting a huge shortfall in funding over the coming months, we are likely to be down at least £1m over the next two months.

“This is at the very time when our nurses, doctors and other staff will be needed more than ever – as the health service faces its biggest challenge.”

Rachel Patterson, head of fundraising for the hospice, said: “The 2.6 Challenge can be anything that works for you. You can do 26 sit-ups, 260 burpees, skipping for 2.6 minutes, a 26 minute exercise class or get 26 people on a video call and do a 26 minute workout – anything you like. We want people to get active, have fun and raise money for their local hospice.”

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