Keeping beds open

An appeal from Cornwall Hospice Care aims to keep beds open at the charity’s two Cornish hospices

The latest message from Cornish healthcare charity, Cornwall Hospice Care, is ‘we’re grateful, but not out of the woods yet’. It follows the launch last October of a major appeal to raise funds to keep beds open at the healthcare charity’s two hospices.

“The Cornish community have been brilliant,” says Oli Hoare, Head of Fundraising, “but we’ve still got work to do to reach our £250,000 target. We just need one last push to bring in £22,500 so we can maintain the 20 beds we provide for terminally ill patients at Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s hospices.”

Terry’s Bed Appeal was triggered by the devastating effect of the pandemic on the charity, which saw vital fundraising events being cancelled and the charity’s shops closed twice for lockdowns. Its name comes from a patient who was cared for in his final days at Mount Edgcumbe and who wrote at the time: “When I needed it, when I was feeling frightened and disturbed, this beautiful hospice had a bed for me and it felt like a gift. I’d be devastated if my bed closed.”

“We’ve been overwhelmed by people’s generosity and understanding of our position,” adds Oli. “Our Light Up A Life event raised £18,518 in support of the appeal and as for Cornwall’s schools, well they’ve been amazing and have raised many thousands of pounds by hosting Santa Runs within their class support bubbles.” 

Another patient, Kate, was also inspired to help having being supported by the charity following a three-day coma after brain surgery. From not being able to move at all, she recovered enough to take six steps with the help of the physio team at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice and as part of her ‘Mini Major Tom Challenge’. “I’m so grateful to be here,” she said at the time, “the team are kind, compassionate and thoughtful and I will always be grateful there was a bed here for me when I needed it most.”

Cornwall Hospice Care
01726 66868 (option 3)
www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/terrysappeal
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kate-brantingham-mini-major-tom-challenge