As the festive season unfolds, Prospect Hospice, a local charity dedicated to providing specialised end-of-life care, is making a heartfelt appeal to the community for support.
This Christmas, the hospice aims to raise funds to open additional rooms at its Wroughton location, extending crucial care to more local individuals approaching the end of their lives.
In a year marked by an unprecedented demand for the charity’s services, Prospect Hospice is committed to ensuring that every patient receives the compassionate care they deserve, with support for their loved ones as well.
Jane Farmery, team leader of the inpatient unit at Prospect Hospice, expressed the challenges faced due to insufficient funding, leading to difficult decisions about providing specialist care at the hospice. Farmery stated, “While we can, of course, offer care at home, some people really need to be cared for at the hospice, and with more rooms open, we’ll be able to make that happen more often.”
Philomena Liston, whose father, Michael Clooney, received care at the hospice during his last Christmas, highlighted the invaluable support her family received. The hospice not only ensured expert care but also organised a full Christmas dinner for everyone on Christmas Day, creating precious memories for the entire family.
“Not only did we know as a family that dad was feeling safe and receiving the expert care that he needed, but they also laid on a full Christmas dinner for everyone in their dining area on Christmas Day – all the grandchildren were there, the chef came out with fantastic food and was so jolly.
“There was no hurry at all and because the hospice staff were on hand, they were able to help dad feel well enough to enjoy it with us. It meant the whole world.”
Beyond the festive season, this appeal serves as a call to action to secure ongoing support for the charity, ensuring that individuals like Philomena and her father can access the required care at the Wroughton hospice.
Prospect Hospice, needing approximately £8 million annually to sustain its current operations, strives to raise even more to expand its capacity and care for more local individuals.
To contribute to Prospect Hospice’s Christmas appeal and support their vital mission, please visit www.prospect-hospice.net/christmas-appeal.
