With the recent self-isolation and Lockdown measures being implemented by government in the UK, St David’s Hospice based in North West Wales predicts huge challenges on the horizon. Their frontline clinical staff continue to care for vulnerable patients in Llandudno’s fourteen bed inpatient unit, as well as community services. Due to the closure of charity shops and events cancelled, nearly 90% of the hospice’s income has stopped due to COVID19.
The Hospice has come up with a unique fundraising idea to try and engage with families isolating at home, and in turn could see the charity raise significant funds during the pandemic.
Over Easter weekend, families are asked to join the St David’s Hospice Indoor/Outdoor Easter Camp by getting together to set up camp inside or outside their home. The Hospice has put an activity pack together which includes five days of pre-camp duties for all the family to get involved with as well as lots of recipes, games and activities to be completed over the Easter weekend.
Margaret Hollings, Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at the Hospice said:
“St David’s Hospice is currently fundraising through the most challenging times the Hospice has ever faced and at the same time our inpatient and community services remain open to patients who are vulnerable. Our staff are very much on the frontline along with the NHS and it’s down to us fundraisers to make sure that end of life care can continue for those who desperately need it through the pandemic in North West Wales”.
“Due to the many constraints of COVID19, we wanted to come up with a fundraising idea which would reach out to all those families trying to balance home-working with home-schooling around Easter, which is inclusive for everybody. The Easter Camp activity pack seems to be the perfect fit. Not only will it keep youngsters occupied for a number of days leading up to the camp, it will also bring families together over the Easter weekend to spend quality time together under these strenuous circumstances”.
The St David’s Hospice Indoor/Outdoor Easter Camp 2020 falls in line with The Great Indoor/Outdoor Easter Camp 2020 which is a group that has been set up on facebook by camping pals, Neil Gantly and Adam Platt from the Midlands along with Lina Patel from Cynwyd.
After their North Wales Easter camping/paddling trip was cancelled, the friends decided to channel their energies online to try and engage with the wider outdoor community to encourage health and well-being whilst locked down at home. After setting up a Facebook page called ‘The Great Garden Indoor/Outdoor Camp Easter 2020’ more than 6,500 people have joined the event worldwide from more than 30 different countries.
Camping pal, and local to Cynwyd, Lina Patel who’s expertise is in well-being and the outdoors said:
“It’s really important that families give thought to their wellbeing during these challenging times at home in a totally different environment from the norm. Lots of families would usually take to camping this Easter to escape the normality of modern day life.
The Camp is a great way to bring families together and the St David’s Hospice Easter Camp activity pack is an ideal way boost to family wellbeing.”
The activity pack is available for a minimum donation of £20 and can be bought at www.stdavidshospice.org.uk/events_calendar.
All proceeds will support the continuing work of the Hospice staff who are working tirelessly around the clock to make sure that people living with life limiting illnesses can be supported in the counties of Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey through COVID19.
