Last Wednesday, 13th June, Dorothy House Hospice Care invited over a hundred local business people, local dignitaries, hospice supporters and ambassadors to their Summer Reception in Winsley.
The event was held to thank existing supporters for their ongoing commitment to Dorothy House while also introducing new supporters to the work of the charity.
Opening the event, Dorothy House Chief Executive, John Davies thanked local supporters for the positive impact their fundraising has made in recent years and outlined some hospice achievements.
He also highlighted the hospice’s plans to develop its services in partnership with other local care organisations in order to meet the exponential growth of palliative and end of life care needs in the community.
Around 3,700 people each year are living with a life-limiting illness and could benefit from hospice care across the 700 square mile region Dorothy House serves in Wiltshire, Somerset and Bath and North-East Somerset.
In 2016/17 almost 2,000 patients were referred to the hospice and in real terms, this means the hospice cares for over 3,000 people per annum when family members and carers are included.
John Davies, Chief Executive at Dorothy House said of the event: “I’m delighted that the evening was so well received. We appreciated the opportunity to say thank you to our supporters and meet new businesses and individuals keen to learn more about the hospice and our work.
“We are grateful to all our supporters as providing our wide range of hospice services requires significant funds.
“For every £1 we receive from the NHS, we have to raise a further £4 to maintain and grow our palliative and end of life services for the local community.”
Karen Walker, Chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) commented: “In my new role as Chair of B&NES council I’ve selected Dorothy House as one of my chosen charities because of the phenomenal care they provide for local people.
“The hospice supports people not only at the end of life but from early diagnosis and provides exemplary care to family and carers as well as patients.
“I wish the hospice great success with their plans to ensure that high quality, end of life care reaches even more of our local residents.”
David Royle, Dorothy House ambassador and brother of Dorothy House founder, Prue Dufour speaking of the event said: “I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to hear more of the hospice’s progress and plans. It was also interesting to talk to local people about how they are supporting the work of the hospice and to share stories of Prue’s life and her influence on the local hospice movement.”
Dorothy House Hospice Care provides free palliative and end of life care from early diagnosis onwards and serves a population of 550,000 across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Wiltshire and Somerset.
For more information on Dorothy House’s services, to volunteer or donate funds, visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 01225 721 480.