Thames Hospice receive vital support from the Wolfson Foundation

At the beginning of the pandemic, the NHS asked Thames Hospice to be at the forefront of Covid-19 support. In March they stepped up, reorganised teams and recruited extra staff to support the NHS. Their Inpatient Unit accepted Covid-positive patients for end-of-life, as well as continuing to look after existing and new patients and families referred to them for palliative care.

At the same time, their shops were closed and their face-to-face fundraising stopped overnight, both of which had a huge effect on income. Like many charities they had to find new ways to fundraise which included an emergency appeal and a call out to existing funders for help.

The Wolfson Foundation answered that call. They were mindful that the Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged lockdown conditions were having a significant impact on many charities within the hospice care sector and they invited Thames Hospice to apply to their Covid-19 Support Fund.

In November the Hospice were awarded an incredible 100,000 to help support running costs for this year and they are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for their wonderful support of the Hospice.

Debbie Raven, Thames Hospice Chief Executive, said: "It has been a year like no other and while Thames Hospice has been able to support our community through the pandemic we have been hit hard just like every other charity. Thanks to the support of the Wolfson Foundation, they have provided a lifeline and we are incredibly grateful for their quick and generous support to the hospice."

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "We are delighted to provide this funding to Thames Hospice as one of 80 organisations across the UK backed by our Covid-19 Support Fund. This pandemic is a time of significant challenge and uncertainty for charities, and we hope our flexible funding shows solidarity as well as support for such a vital organisation."

The pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for change and the hospice has learned lessons from coronavirus, which has resulted in permanent changes to some of their services to improve their resilience. Thank you to the Wolfson Foundation for being part of the future of Thames Hospice.