Added 1st March 2021
Celebrities praise Springhill Hospice staff and volunteers with a ‘humongous thank you’ for being ‘completely brilliant, absolutely fabulous’ and for going ‘above and beyond’
Staff and volunteers at Springhill Hospice Received a special thank you for working tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure vital palliative and end of life care has still been available to patients and their families. Messages of support were received from National Treasure Stephen Fry, the Absolutely Fabulous Joanna Lumley and Rochdale’s own Lisa Stansfield.
Springhill’s CEO, Sam Wells said ‘I wanted to acknowledge what a tough year it’s been for everyone and how impressed I am with how they’ve all adapted and continued to provide such brilliant patient care. The restrictions go against the very nature of palliative care and I know it’s been difficult but they’ve put themselves at risk, taken on extra work, adapted and learnt new skills that are way out of their comfort zones.
The Hospice relies heavily on donations raised from fundraising events, income from charity shops and support from the local community to provide its services free of charge to patients and their families. Head of Income Generation, Emily Kennedy said ‘the last 12 months has been especially tough for the fundraising team as shops have remained closed for most of the year and no events could take place. The people of Rochdale have been amazing in continuing to support us but fundraising has been significantly affected so the video had been a real boost to the team’. You can watch the video and kind messages of support and thanks below.
There has been a beacon of hope this week that there might be an increase in face to face patient care over coming months with the hope that patients will be able to return to the Hospice for Day Hospice, bereavement and counselling support; all of which have had to move to a virtual model during lockdown. We know that the last 12 months has been a time of uncertainty and worry for everyone. Whilst we all look forward to brighter days, the warm touch of one hand on another, or the simple delights of a hug with a loved one, we ask you to please remember your local hospice and the members of our local community who still require the care of Springhill.
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