An online fundraising appeal has been launched by leading Welsh charity City Hospice to support its key services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
City Hospice provides palliative care for 550 patients with life limiting or terminal illnesses in Cardiff, in addition to services for patients’ families such as counselling and bereavement support. As Cardiff’s local hospice, they offer end of life care and support at home, allowing patients the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones.
The charity created the online appeal on 1 April to assist with its running costs, in response to the loss of its primary income following the closure of shops and postponement of fundraising events during the outbreak.
A number of the charity’s fundraisers have also adapted their planned events to support the cause. Carly Murray, who was training for the postponed Newport Marathon, has used her daily exercise to run the length of the course (26.2 miles), while palliative care nurse Caitriona Seed is raising funds for the appeal by using equipment at home to row 75 miles.
Funds raised by the appeal will help cover the costs of a number of vital services including nursing care. City Hospice’s frontline multi-disciplinary team includes 12 Clinical Nurse Specialists who tend to patients, in person and virtually, to help manage symptoms, provide care and offer emotional support. A day of nursing care delivered by a single Clinical Nurse Specialist costs £150.
While the charity’s Donate a Day campaign also supports this key service, the Covid-19 Appeal assists with the funding of these care professionals in addition to other patient services and the running of the hospice.
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Liz Andrews, Chief Executive at City Hospice, said: “At a time of great uncertainty for everyone, we are extremely grateful to the generous people who have donated to our Covid-19 Appeal. It has also been heart-warming to see encouraging messages on social media. The positivity of the public in these unusual circumstances has given our team a boost as they continue to provide incredibly important care to patients across the capital.
“It has always been our promise to provide the highest standards of palliative care to people in Cardiff. We know how much our services mean to the families facing life limiting and terminal illness. The support we receive from the community, particularly in times like these, allows us to continue this essential care.”
A week after City Hospice launched their online appeal, the Chancellor of the UK Government, Rishi Sunak, announced a £750 million package for charities during the government’s daily briefing. The Welsh Government has also announced a £6.3 million support package for Welsh hospices.
Responding to the government announcements, Liz Andrews said: “We welcome the announcement of financial aid for charities as the sector has been struggling since the lockdown measures were imposed.
“We will continue to fundraise through our Covid-19 Appeal so that we can maintain our high level of care for patients in the comfort of their own homes and continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Donations to support City Hospice and the work they do can be made via their appeal JustGiving page.
