Local charity Dorothy House is launching a special Pay for a Day initiative and inviting local businesses or individuals to fund one day of hospice care costs.
Henrietta Beard with Katie McDonald of Bath-based business Marble Works of Bath
The money raised will help Dorothy House fund its palliative and end of life nursing care, which is free for patients with a life-limiting illness like cancer, neurological conditions, heart disease or respiratory disease.
Only 17% of care costs at Dorothy House are met by government funding so the remainder has to be raised by the Hospice’s fundraising in the community, gifts in wills, retail shops and education programmes.
Companies who support Pay for a Day can raise funds in their own way and in their own timeframe to pay for 24 hours of nursing care which costs £8,595.
This sum covers the cost of a day and a night’s care at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Winsley or 24 hours of care provided in a patient’s home by the charity’s Hospice at Home and Nurse Specialist teams which serve Bath and North East Somerset, parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.
Pay for a Day donors will be invited to choose a specific day to fund nursing care at Dorothy House.
They will be invited for a tour of the Hospice and to meet some of the nursing teams.
They will also receive a personal certificate and will be included in a Book of Days which celebrates all Pay for a Day donors.
Recognition of Pay for a Day supporters will also be provided via the Dorothy House website and social media channels.
Henrietta Beard, Corporate Fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care said: “Charitable business partnership activity takes many forms and Pay for a Day is an innovative opportunity for local companies to shape their own relationship with Dorothy House.
“Corporate partnership packages can be varied to suit the corporate social responsibility needs of local companies such as funding nursing care while also involving staff in volunteering, setting up their own events or fundraising activity for the Hospice.”
Stephanie Cole, well-known television and theatre actress and supporter of Dorothy House from Bath said: “It’s my absolute privilege to be supporting the vital care Dorothy House provides, allowing peace and comfort during a person’s final days.
“They’re a charity which receives very little government funding so it’s only with our support that they’re able to do this. I have been a proud ambassador of Dorothy House ever since my husband, Peter, fell ill and I witnessed first-hand the incredible care their lovely nurses provide.
“Pay for a Day is a perfect way to support them, you can give or raise money in a way to suit you. No matter what you’ll achieve something amazing, you’ll be funding kind and professional, end of life care for local people like you and me.”
Katie McDonald, owner of Marble Works of Bath, added: “Dorothy House is very close to our hearts and as a local, family run business we wanted to give to a charity supporting our community rather than a national charity.
“My Grandad was cared for by Dorothy House thirty years ago at Bloomfield Road and since then some members of our family, as well as friends’ families have benefited from the incredible end of life care offered by the Hospice.
“Once you have been touched by the wonderful care Dorothy House offers, it’s easy to make the decision to support them and we are delighted to be involved in Pay for a Day to fund nursing care for the Hospice.”
To find out more about Pay for a Day or other business partnership opportunities with Dorothy House, contact corporate fundraiser, Henrietta Beard at [email protected] or visit https://www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/pay-for-a-day/.
