The Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community have stepped forward to offer generous financial support for Prospect Hospice’s proposed outpatient centre at Savernake Hospital, which made local headlines last week (see below in “Latest News”).
Prospect Hospice needs funds to secure the new Prospect Hospice at Savernake Outpatient Centre, which will support patients needing end-of-life care as well as their families. The proposed centre at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Savernake Hospital will also become the base for two Prospect community nurses who will bring care to patients in their own homes.
The Friends are giving full backing to Prospect Hospice for the proposed project. They are offering to match funds raised by the community up to a maximum of £20,000 which would mean a possible £40,000 towards the new Prospect Hospice centre.
“We are certain that, with the help of the community, we can ensure Prospect Hospice’s brilliant, compassionate services will come to our own Savernake Hospital,” says Val Compton, a committee member of The Friends and one time campaigner for the hospital.
“Since 1866 the community has supported Savernake Hospital in so many ways. If it were not for that support this wonderful little hospital would not be here today.
“So we, The Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community, are throwing out a challenge: raise money for Prospect Hospice and we will double every penny that is raised by 1st March 2015. It’s up to the community to think small with fundraising coffee mornings … or think big – as big as you can!
“Prospect Hospice at Savernake would be a wonderful use of some currently underused space at the hospital. There are few of us who have not been touched by the end of life stage of a loved one. How wonderful it would be – and what peace of mind it would provide families – if we could secure support and care for the people we love close to home, or indeed at home.
“Please help us, The Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community, to make this become a reality. Hold an event, raise some money, donate what you can – but don’t allow this opportunity to slip through our fingers. We need your help now; and know you won’t let us down.
“Together – we can do it!”
Richard Hammond, Prospect Hospice’s director of income generation, said: “We are thrilled that The Friends have been so generous in offering to match funds raised by the local community for our appeal, and that they have welcomed so strongly the news of our planned Outpatient Centre. It is great to know that for every £1 donated to the appeal between now and the end of March, the Friends will match it up to £20,000, which could mean £40,000 towards the care and support of people and their carers in Marlborough and the surrounding villages.”
He added: “We greatly welcome this support, and feel more confident that it will rally the people of Marlborough and the surrounding villages in bring Prospect Hospice’s unparalleled care closer for patients and carers in their area.”
Dr Guy Rooney, medical director at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which owns the much-loved hospital in Marlborough, said: “We are delighted to be working with Prospect Hospice to bring end-of-life care closer to home for patients and families in and around Marlborough. The service will make a massive difference to local people and is just one of the ways we are making care more accessible to people across Wiltshire.”
To make a donation to the Prospect Hospice at Savernake Hospital appeal, visit www.prospect-hospice.net/savernakeappeal, call 01793 816161 or visit one of the Prospect Hospice shops at Marlborough High Street, Pewsey or Hungerford.
You can follow also follow the Friends’ news about the Prospect appeal on their Facebook page.
