Together
Hospiscare’s Autumn 2013 newsletter
Caring in Devon
New Hospice for Devon A Families’ Tribute Starlight Walk Success Plus: Festive Events for your diary
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter
Join the team!
Take on Exeter’s half marathon
We hope you’ve had a great summer. Thanks to everyone who has been fundraising in the sun for us! We’ve got some exciting news to share with you about our new Day Hospice in Honiton (pg 6). An inspiration story about one fundraising family on pg. 4, a lovely patient letter on pg 8 and if you just can’t wait, flick straight to the back page to find out about our upcoming events!
The popular Great West Run is back on the 13th October with a new route covering 20km We’re looking for people ready to don an orange vest and take on a challenge for Hospiscare. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a regular runner, there is still time to get in shape before October. If you’re interested please call 01392 688052 or go to www.hospiscare.co.uk/Events.
Thank you for your support Monica Ross organised a Latin Lounge event, dancing the night away to raise £2,000 Inner Wheel of Sidmouth choose Hospiscare as their charity of the year and raised £2073.58 Arthur Parsons and the Colyton Vintage Tractor run committee raised a magnificent £3,000 Peter Goodchild organised a performance of ‘Talking Heads’ and raised £600 Carley Holmes and Chris Horwell organised a charity fun day and raised £1446 Savills and Michelmores sponsored the Sidbury Manor tea party Liz Cleves for her coffee morning raised £46 Rotary Club of Exeter Eastgate 2 | www.hospiscare.co.uk
raised £404 with their race night Teams from RBS Corporate Banking and Barclays Bank for volunteering Robert Hough organised an opera concert and raised £150 Cornerstone Housing raised £793 from their Race Night Sharon Walker and the committee of Wessex RFC donated £2,280 from a family fun day
On the 11th May 2013 the Exmouth seafront was taken over by a parade of 400 fancy dress clad ladies taking on a new 12km route for Hospiscare. The event, kindly sponsored by Palmers Whitton and Laing, had a great atmosphere with everyone enjoying a lively Zumba warm up. A special corner of the marquee was dedicated to the ‘Memory Stars’, each walker had a star to write special messages on and add a photo of the person they were walking in memory of. The ladies raised an incredible £35,000 with money still coming in - thank you to everyone involved!
Norma Foster, John and Janet Milford, Paul Vincent and John and David Burgoyne organised another successful Golf Tournament raising over £10,000 Rileys Snooker Club raised £100 from their Pool Competition University of Exeter Market Place raised £443 in their shops collecting tins Clover Wealth Management raised £150 from a client evening Southgate Hotel
raised £1,500 from various activities University of Exeter Campus Services raised £1,036 from various events John Lewis gave a donation of £1,740 from their Community Matters scheme BHS are providing support for Hospiscare shops Thrifty Car & Van Rental raised £615 from a sponsored chest wax Sainsbury’s raised £2,100 through Car Boot Sales Mole Avon held a craft fair which raised £1,300 Vicki and Andrew Scott and Ann Blake raised £13,000 from the ‘Event in the Tent’ Rathbones and Cartridges Solicitors kindly sponsored the Cadhay Rose Festival and Garden Fair 01392 688000 | 3
Family’s tribute to Chris When much-loved pianist Chris Coppell asked her family to raise money for Hospiscare, they embarked upon a fundraising campaign that has raised more than £15,000 in her memory. 60-year-old Chris, from Ottery St Mary, died in July 2011 after being diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer. In her final days, mother and grandmother Chris asked her family to raise enough money to cover the cost of care they had received from Hospiscare, so that others could benefit from the same high level of kindness and support which had so overwhelmed her. In the 18 months since Chris’s death her family and friends have organised two concerts, conquered a bungee jump and completed an 800 mile cycle challenge to raise thousands of pounds for the charity. Graham said: “The first concert raised around £3000 and the bike ride made £10,000. Everybody who came to the concert had something nice to say about Chris. Chris would have approved greatly of the cycle challenge completed by Graham and the couple’s two sons, Jason and Matthew, in 2012, (pictured right) having suggested the ride herself. Graham said: “We did talk to Chris in her final week about fundraising 4 | www.hospiscare.co.uk
ideas and she thought it would be really good to organise a bike ride. For us it’s all about supporting the people who supported Chris and we are planning a 1200 mile cycle challenge for 2014.”
“They’ll always remember her - there are so many fond memories”
Chris was diagnosed with cancer in February 2011 shortly after her 60th birthday. Graham said: “We were given this dreadful news that she’d got a massive tumour in her intestine your world just kind of falls apart then.”
Chris and Graham were childhood sweethearts who were happily married for 41 years. Having had their children young, the couple couldn’t wait to become grandparents and family holidays and a weekly meal soon became the norm for the close family. Chris spent the last week of her life at the Exeter hospice surrounded by her family and, with the help of the ward staff, managed to keep one of her family traditions going. Graham said “Chris was told on the Monday that nothing more could be done and on the Wednesday the whole family came in and we had our family meal in the hospice. The nurses were brilliant and I’m sure it did help while she was there. “My son is concerned that his children won’t always remember their Nana; I think they’ll always remember her - there are so many fond memories.”
01392 688000 | 5
New hospice for East Devon We are delighted to announce an exciting plan to build a much-needed day hospice in East Devon. Hospiscare currently runs day hospices in Exeter and Tiverton. Now Honiton is set to get its own day hospice thanks to a grant of £510,000 from NHS England and generous pledges from our sister charities and charitable trusts. Hospiscare and the three coastal town charities have worked together to secure the funds needed to complete the new centre. Hospiscare Chief Executive Glynis Atherton said: “This new Day Hospice will be built as a result of a partnership with Budleigh, Exmouth and Sidmouth Hospiscare. “We are all committed to excellent end of life care for people in East Devon and this centre will make a massive difference to the quality of life for patients and their families” Currently, patients in East Devon travel long distances to benefit from day hospice services. Many people prefer to be cared for closer to their home and be supported by professionals that they both know and trust. East Devon Community Nurse Angela Phillips has worked for Hospiscare for more than 21 years.
She said: “I am thrilled by the plans; it will provide a central facility in East Devon offering our tried and tested day care model, as well as enabling us to have ‘drop-in’ clinics for patients and their carers.” Day hospices offer a wide range of therapies and activities as well as mutual support for patients and carers. Work is due to begin in January 2014, opening to patients by the summer. More than £250,000 is yet to be raised for the new day hospice. Glynis said: “The residents of East Devon have always been generous to Hospiscare and we thank them for this. “We know that local people and companies will want to support this and there are lots of ways in which you can help from making a donation to volunteering your time. “For more information visit our website or call Sarah Smith on 01392 688000. I know that together we can create a lasting legacy of care for people in East Devon.”
Ways you can help: • Making a donation or pledge • Making a gift in kind • Volunteering your time • Leaving a gift in your Will
A letter from Dan.. Dan King, a Hospiscare patient with prostate and bone cancer, would like to share his experience of the Day Centre with you.
or at the Exeter Day do e th h ug ro th d ke al n by From the moment I w as immediately take w d an e m ho at y el rough the Centre I felt complet hich has prevailed th w ve lo d an re ca of the atmosphere g. I have been attendin subsequent months e of ysical and spiritual, ar ph th bo e, bl la ai av s en on hand The range of service d volunteers have be an es rs nu e Th y, e. lu tremendous va s include physiotherap ice rv Se . lp he al tic ac pr ther it was with a kind word and too much trouble, whe is ng hi ot N g. llin ue arising se and coun drugs or any other iss ith w n tio ec nn co in arranging advice from my condition. d ity of life in a happy an al qu y m ed nc ha en after Hospiscare has truly who attended week rs ee nt lu vo e Th t. en eir time to positive environm o. They freely give th to e, nc re ffe di a e with ak week really m r condition, is treated ei th r ve te ha w l, ua vid ks ensure that each indi work. My grateful than r ei th of ne to rs ne co es. respect. Humour is a to them and the nurs go s nt tie pa e th l al and the thanks of of support to all of us ice rv se rb pe su ly al re Hospiscare affords a conditions are really th al he n he w e tim a who need support at challenging. n incredible organisatio is th t or pp su to ne yo I would appeal to an people. y which helps so man
“Hospiscare has truly enhanced my quality of life�
8 | www.hospiscare.co.uk
Can you help support local people today? Your details Your title First name Surname Your address Postcode Tel number Email By providing your details, you agree to receive information from Hospiscare about our work. We will not disclose or sell your details to any other organisation. If you would rather not hear from us please contact us by phone, email or post using the details below. For every donation we receive, we send a thank you letter acknowledging receipt. We are delighted to do this, but if you would rather have your thank you by email instead please tick here
Yes! I want to be a regular giver 2 7 7 9 6 3 Service user number
Reference (for office use)
I would like to give £5
£10
£15
other £
each month
To: The Manager (Name and full postal address of your bank or building society) Bank/building society Address Postcode Account holder(s) Title(s) First name(s) Last name(s) Bank/building society account number Branch sort code Instruction to your bank or building society Please pay Hospiscare Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Hospiscare and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.
Signature(s) Date
Yes! I want to make a one-off donation I would like to make a donation of £ By cheque made payable to Hospiscare or by Visa/Mastercard/Switch (delete as applicable) Card number Issue number (Switch only) Start date Expiry date Security No. (Last three digits on back of card)
Gift Aid it! Gift Aid declaration: I am/We are UK taxpayer(s) and I/We want Hospiscare to claim back the tax on:*this donation *all donations I/We have made in the past 4 years, and *all future donations until I/We notify you otherwise. (*please delete if necessary as appropriate).
Signature(s) Date
I/We confirm I/We have paid or will pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I/We donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I/We understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I/We understand that Hospiscare will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008. Please notify Hospiscare if you (either of you): *Want to cancel this declaration,*Change your name or address *No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains Hospiscare is a registered charity no 297798.
Send this form to: Hospiscare FREEPOST Dryden Road, Exeter EX2 5ZZ. Contact us by ringing 01392 688020 Caring in Devon
or by emailing fundraising@hospiscare.co.uk.
Preparing for Christmas Turkey with all the trimmings, festive cheer and family gatherings is everything you could expect from a Hospiscare Christmas - a special time of year shared with special people. Staff and volunteers at the Exeter hospice work hard each year to bring Christmas to the ward, making it a memorable and special time for everyone. Christmas tunics, visits from dogs and gifts for patients are just some of the highlights on the ward, and with carol
singers delighting patients and staff it’s little wonder that people choose to work at the Hospice over the festive period. Hospiscare cook Monica Vallance said: “I choose to work here on Christmas Day; I’ve been here 17 years and I’ve worked 14 Christmases. It’s a lovely atmosphere and it’s just nice to be here.” Christmas wouldn’t be the same without twinkly lights, tinsel or a tree, and, while the ward takes on a Christmassy feel, attending to patients and families needs is still the main priority. Ward Manager Petra Osborne said: “It’s business as usual on the ward
Virtual Gifts Sometimes it’s hard to find a gift for someone who has everything they need. A virtual gift could be a welcome, feel-good solution. Go to www.hospiscare.co.uk to see more virtual gift options and to purchase.
10 I www.hospiscare.co.uk
but with the extras to make it special; volunteer Tricia Kirkby comes in every year and brings her dog with her, and a buffet is served on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, as well as lunch on Christmas Day. “We often set up a big table in day care so that families can come in and have Christmas dinner together.”
really bad, many of the nurses slept at the hospice or with colleagues in Exeter in case other staff couldn’t make it in to work. “The staff are so dedicated at Hospiscare and making Christmas extra special for our patients and families really matters.”
While most people long for a white Christmas, Petra said she can remember a year when bad weather saw many nurses spend longer on the ward than they had planned. She said: “One year when the snow was
This Christmas give a patient... ...a tasty gift
A nutritious meal prepared with love
...a pampering gift A soothing jacuzzi bath or a relaxing massage
...a gift of time
Support and care helping a patient make the most of precious time
£5 £25 £50 01392 688000 | 11
Precious keepsakes When mother-of-four Sherry Wood was admitted to Hospiscare’s Exeter Hospice, Bereavement Co-ordinator Yvonne Howard helped the young mum to create special gifts for her children. Sherry Wood from Ottery St Mary died in February 2013, two days after her 36th birthday. Sherry had cervical cancer and during her time in the hospice she spoke with Yvonne about writing some words of encouragement and hopes she had for her children in the future. Yvonne said: “I gave Sherry some little cards with prompts that said ‘I love you because...’, ‘do you remember when...’ ‘a favourite memory I have is...’ and ‘I hope that...’.” Having previously made memory bracelets with both children and adults, Yvonne suggested the idea to Sherry. She said: “Sherry wanted to make bracelets for her little girls and her 12 I www.hospiscare.co.uk
niece. She chose pearl beads in different colours for each child. “She also chose charms with a message for each child, but she was too ill to make the bracelets and she then sadly died, so I made them.” Yvonne bought wooden chests which were painted in each child’s favourite colour and the written cards and an angel birthstone were placed inside. The boxes were given to Sherry’s mother, along with the bracelets, for safe keeping, and given to the children after Sherry had died. Yvonne said: “Sherry’s mum was thrilled with the bracelets and was going to place them in the three girl’s boxes for the future. “Sherry wanted to leave her children something to remember her by for the future that they could treasure. She chose the individual colours and charms as a personal gift from her to them, with love.”
Tree of Light Remember together this Christmas Services of Light Christmas can be a difficult time for many. Come together to remember loved ones with Hospiscare’s Tree of Light Service. The idea behind the Tree is simple. Each light on the Tree is lit in memory of a loved one. Anyone wishing to make a donation or dedication can have their loved one remembered in the Book of Memories. The Tree of Light will be outside Exeter Cathedral while the 2013 Book of Memories can be viewed inside or at one of the special remembrance services held locally. To make a dedication in the book of memories: • Find a dedication form in our shops from November • We can send you a form - call 01392 688020 • Or you can make a dedication online, visit www.hospiscare.co.uk
Axminster St Mary’s Church 7.30pm, Thursday 28th November Okehampton Fairplace Church 7pm, Friday 29th November Exeter, St Thomas St Thomas Methodist Church 7pm, Tuesday 3rd Decemeber Honiton St Paul’s Church 7pm, Wednesday 4th December Ottery St Mary Parish Church of St Mary 7.30pm, Wednesday 4th December Crediton Holy Cross Church 7.30pm, Thursday 5th December Tiverton St Peter’s Church 7pm, Friday 6th December Sidmouth Sidmouth Parish church 6pm, Sunday 8th December Exmouth and Budleigh East Budleigh Parish Church 7pm, Wednesday 11th December Broadclyst Parish Church 7pm, Thursday 12th December Seaton Seaton Methodist church 7pm, Friday 13th December Exeter Exeter Cathedral 5pm, Sunday 22nd December
01392 688000 | 13
Festive Fundraising Ideas Win a Christmas hamper! Gather together a group of your friends, family and colleagues and ask each person to bring in one item to put in the hamper and buy a raffle ticket. Choose a day for the hamper prize draw. The lucky winner goes home happy with the hamper. Donate the money raised to Hospiscare!
Save cash and get one BIG card for everyone! Pop our Big Card somewhere everyone will see it and persuade all your colleagues or friends to write their festive greetings on it, then put the money they would have spent on sending cards in the collecting box.
14| www.hospiscare.co.uk
Did you know? Hospiscare is.. Here’s a few quick Hospiscare facts for you. You may know them already- if so
Open A charity 24/7
that’s great! Please help spread the word.
We work with but are not part of the NHS
Local
We are a local charity with services in Exeter, mid and east Devon
Our services are available every day of the year
Free
All our services are free of charge
Can you help? We need to raise 75% of our income every year to continue providing vital care to local people 01392 688000 | 15
Ready to take on a new challenge? Sahara Trek 2014 6th - 11th November
If you would like to take part please contact our events team on 01392 688052.
Things to see and do October
4 Quiz Evening, Honiton An entertaining evening of questions, prizes and food. Entry £8 per person to include supper. Bring your wine, glasses and cork screw! For more details please contact Mary Bolshaw on 01404 43196. 7-13 Hospice Care Week It’s national Hospice Care Week, look out for ways you can get involved with your local Hospice. 13 Great West Run, Exeter Join Team Hospiscare on the brand new look 20km run through Exeter’s city centre. 31, Hospiscare Haunted Halloween Hobble, Exeter Take an evening walk through Exeter University’s Botanical Gardens grounds, things will not be as they seem, expect surprises and scares along the way. Spooky goody bags for all children and delicious Hot Creepy Chocolate and m
marshmallows will be served to those brave enough to complete the trail. For further information call Jonathan Hough on 01392 688067 or email j.hough@ hospiscare.co.uk to book your space.
November
30, Christmas Fair, Exeter Come along to the Guildhall in Exeter to pick up gifts, Christmas cards, cakes for the festive season ahead. Refreshments, snacks and light lunches also available
December
7 Christmas Market, Honiton Christmas Market at Mackarness Hall Honiton, present and decoration ideas for all. 22 Tree of Light, Exeter A special remembrance service at Exeter Catherdral, ending with the lighting of the Tree on the Cathedral green.
For more details on any of our events go to www.hospiscare.co.uk/Events
We’re launching a new e-newsletter!
Why not have all the latest Hospiscare news stories and events info delivered straight to your inbox? Simply call 01392 688020 or email FRAdmin@hospiscare.co.uk