A Message From Our Patron

It is a great honour to be Patron of Forest Holme Hospice Charity. I have long been aware of the Hospice’s outstanding reputation for palliative and end-of-life care and so I was extremely pleased to be asked several years ago, to become involved with the Charity.

In these difficult times of the pandemic, I particularly want to give heartfelt thanks to all the nursing and medical staff. The commitment and caring that you give is so much appreciated. I also wish to thank all the other hard-working staff, our wonderful volunteers, and all those who contribute to fundraising.

I have been so moved recently to read about 11-yr-old Jamie Groves walking 2 miles every day to raise money for Forest Holme in memory of his dad John Groves, who died at the hospice almost exactly 2 years ago. I am full of admiration for all the people who take on so many different challenges to raise money to support the Hospice’s work. I hope that the benefits from becoming fitter from the ‘Get Fit for Forest Holme’ initiative will be a great incentive to participate and raise money.

We all wonder what our new ‘normal’ way of life will be like in the future. But one certainty that remains is the need for end-of-life care and the importance of our local hospice. Financial pressures will undoubtedly be greater than ever as we emerge from this international crisis and hence the need for even more innovative fundraising.

Thank you all for your contribution to Forest Holme and the services it provides to our community.

Dame Annette Brooke (Patron of Forest Holme Hospice Charity)