Thames Hospice launches Christmas fundraising appeal

Thames Hospice has launched its Christmas Care Fundraising Appeal asking its community to donate what they can this December so they can continue to support more families like Claire and her two young daughters, Chloe and Ruby, who are facing this Christmas without Alan, their beloved husband and father.

This Christmas, Thames Hospice will continue to care for many families who are facing a terminal illness and desperately need help. It is only with donations that the Hospice are able to bring comfort and help families make memories together over the festive period.

In December 2021, Alan and his family received the devastating news of his terminal diagnosis and his wife Claire explains how they desperately needed help. Claire says: “I got in touch with Thames Hospice to see what support they could give us. A lovely nurse from the Hospice at Home Team came to see us to talk about how they could help.

“The Hospice Team responded immediately and got him a bed the next day. The tumour was affecting his mood so much, I was worried he would change his mind and become angry. So I asked if someone from the Hospice could be with us when the ambulance came to collect him.

“When he went to the Hospice it was such a relief. We knew the Inpatient Services Team were looking after Alan and doing things I couldn’t do in the end for him.

“I don’t think he would have been with us (for Chloe’s 13th birthday) if it wasn’t for the care of the Hospice, I really don’t.

“Alan died on 17 December 2022, with the professionals he needed there to make him comfortable. I’m so relieved that the Hospice could be there for Alan and our family. This Christmas other families like mine will need them. Please donate to this appeal if you can.”

Since last December, costs to run the Hospice have risen by almost 20% which means the charity must find an extra £9,589 every single day to support families like Claire and Alan’s.

Staff Nurse Sarah Clark says: “We simply could not survive without the incredible generosity of our community.

“The increase in costs is an immense challenge for us, but for families like Alan’s, end-of-life care and bereavement support are an essential lifeline at life’s most difficult time. That’s why our community’s gift of support is so vital.”

A donation to the Christmas Care Appeal will make a huge difference to local families this December and beyond. For more information, or to give to the Christmas Care Appeal, please click here.