Thames Hospice thank 25 Rotary Clubs for their support

Thames Hospice was thrilled to be able to finally thank in person, all the local Rotary Clubs in the Rotary District 1090, known collectively as Rotary in the Thames Valley, for their generous contribution to the new Thames Hospice facility by Bray Lake. In 2019 and 2020, twenty-five Rotary clubs raised funds through many varied events to help pay for the garden benches around the Hospice and the outside seating for Café by the Lake, the new café at the Hospice. The pandemic has meant that the Rotary Clubs have been unable to visit the new Hospice but on Monday15 November 2021 they were finally given the opportunity to officially hand over the funds raised and spend some time in the gardens admiring the fantastic new garden furniture.

Jane Symmons, Head of Major Gifts at Thames Hospice, said: “We are so grateful to all the Rotarians who helped to raise the funds and everyone who attended the Rotary fundraising events. The gardens are such an important part of the Hospice, supporting the wellbeing of our patients and their families at their greatest time of need as well as our colleagues and volunteers.

“Our Café is very popular and it’s great to see our local community using the outside space to enjoy some delicious refreshments!”

Attending the Hospice from Rotary were Frank Quinn (Past District Governor – Rotary District 1090), Past Rotary Club Presidents Chris Davies (Windsor St. George), Leigh Welham (Crowthorne and Sandhurst), David Oliver (Langley and Iver), Andrew Chitty (Maidenhead Thames) and Derek Smith (Cookham Bridge).

Derek Smith, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Cookham Bridge and the project leader on behalf of Rotary in the Thames Valley, said: “It has been a pleasure to support the equipping of the new Hospice premises and to enrol the support of so many nearby Rotary Clubs. The new site is a major enhancement on their previous facilities and secures their position as the major regional provider of full 24/7 Hospice services both for inpatients and for the support of patients at home. After the restrictions of the past 20 months it is very satisfying, at last, to be able to make a proper formal handover of the funds and to wish the Hospice every success in the future. The Rotary Clubs are now involved in a second phase of working with the Hospice, this time focussing on an enhanced training programme for nursing staff.”