Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Autumn 2021 Newsletter

Your legacy
will secure
our future
Suzanne Garbarino, Clinical Lead for adults
and children, helped get the appeal under way,
explaining to local people why the hospice needs
their help with legacies so much right now.
She told The Cumberland News: “All the usual
events and charity fundraising have seen a huge
reduction. Also, the closure of our charity shops
has decreased income. This is the hospice’s 30th
anniversary year but it is one of its toughest.”
Suzanne explained how the pandemic affected
nursing and care. “One of the most difficult things
we have encountered is having to restrict visiting,”
she said.
“In palliative care and children’s palliative care, it’s
not something we have ever had to do.
Legacy campaign launched to help secure the
hospice’s future after the pandemic hits income
“Usually if you want 20 visitors you can have
them, but we have had to limit visitors under
Government restrictions. That has presented huge
challenges for patients and families, and also it has
been really difficult for the staff.”
October is a milestone for Eden Valley Hospice –
it marks 30 years since we opened our doors.
But unfortunately, this anniversary year has
proved to be one of the most difficult in the
hospice’s history.
As you may know, the hospice is a charity
which depends for its survival on charitable
giving. It needs £4m per year. Our wonderful
local communities have generously supported
the hospice since its very beginnings. But the
pandemic closed our charity shops and stopped
fundraising events, leading to the shortfall.
So, we have launched an appeal asking locals to
support us by pledging a donation in their Wills –
a type of giving that cannot be disrupted by crises like
the pandemic. Hospice chief executive Trish Livsey
says that income is significantly lower than usual.
“It has been a real challenge and the thing that
saved us was legacies.
With some of the legacies we are getting, the Wills
could have been made 20 years ago, so it’s a way of
securing our current position but also our future.”
The Cumberland News has supported us by
launching the Help Our Hospice appeal – calling out
for 300 people to make a gift in their Will.
Carlisle solicitors gave their backing. Scott Duff &
Co, Wragg Mark Bell and Butterworths offered free
or discounted Wills to customers and/or donations
to the campaign.
One supporter, Pat, a former teacher in Carlisle,
arranged a donation in her Will after her husband
received end of life care at the hospice last year.
Virtual conversations could not make up for faceto-face
support.
“People have been in contact with their loved ones
from around the world but it’s not the same as
sitting holding someone’s hand,” she said.
“And PPE has made that difficult too. Gloves, an
apron and mask make communication much more
difficult,” she said.
“It’s been really hard on staff. It has been
emotionally difficult for everybody. Staff are
very tired.”
Suzanne explained how local people can help
ensure the hospice’s long-term future by leaving
a gift in their Will.
“Because there is still so much uncertainty, a gift
in a Will is guaranteed income without having to
worry about lockdowns and restrictions.
“If people can leave some money in their Will to the
hospice it will help secure its future regardless of
what else is going on around.”
Suzanne asked The Cumberland News readers:
“If you can, remember us and keep thinking about
the hospice.
“The care we are giving doesn’t stop in a world
pandemic even if our income generation stops.
We are still here providing help for patients
and families.”
“Eighty per cent of our funding comes from
charitable donations and that’s been hugely
impacted because of Covid,” she says.
She said: “Because no one knows what the future
holds, I want to try and make it possible for the
hospice to be there for those who need it.”
Can you help the hospice by leaving a donation in your Will?
Please contact Karen Durden, hospice Legacies Manager, on 01228 817607 or
karen.durden@edenvalleyhospice.org or any member of the fundraising team.
6
7