MORE than £2,000 has flooded in to the Driving Hospice Care campaign thanks to the generosity of Gazette readers.

In just six days since it was launched, the appeal has been given £2,395 to help buy new cars for Hospice at Home nurses who support those who have chosen to die at home.

“The response from readers of The Westmorland Gazette has been second to none,” said Catherine Butterworth, head of fundraising at St John’s Hospice, which operates the Hospice at Home team.

“On behalf of our patients a big thank you,” added Catherine.

The campaign aims to raise £36,800 for two 4x4s for the nurses who travel across South Lakeland, north Lancashire and north Yorkshire to reach patients in the last stages of life.

The 12-strong team make around 5,000 home visits a year to patients with terminal illness who have opted to die at home.

Although they battle through all weather and terrain conditions to reach patients, they only have access to a fleet of old, unreliable cars – the ‘best’ of which is 12-years-old – and the team fears the cars won’t last another Cumbrian winter.

“This campaign has really highlighted the amazing work the Hospice at Home nurses do each week to support patients and their families in their own home,” continued Ms Butterworth.

“By telling our story to you, the readers of The Westmorland Gazette, we can ensure that we continue to provide this important care to local people in any kind of weather.“ It is hoped the team will be provided with two Kia Sportages 4x4s – at a reduced rate of £18,400 each – from Windermere’s Rayrigg Motors.

 

To donate to the Westmorland Gazette’s Driving Hospice Care campaign send cheques made payable to Driving Hospice Care to Anna Clarke, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright’s Yard, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DP.

Cheques should be marked on the back ‘Driving Hospice Care’.

Please include your name, full postal address, telephone number and email address.