Renfrewshire South MSP Hugh Henry is backing St Vincent’s Hospice in their bid to raise £1million in 2013.
Hugh is getting behind the appeal and yesterday, after a visit to meet patients and staff he urged readers to dig deep to help.
He was invited along to meet the team and given a tour of the hospice after making a number of donations to boost the charity’s coffers.
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| Brona McGee, Director of Care at St Vincent’s Hospice, with Hugh Henry |
Hugh said: “I have supported the hospice for a number of years now as it is in the heart of the community and my Constituency. I am well aware of the amazing work they do and how their care can make such a huge difference to people with life-limiting illnesses.
“As well as looking after patients in the hospice they also go out into the community to support families and to make sure they have the support they want and need. There’s also The Butterflies project where they go into schools and support children who may be finding it hard to cope with the knowledge that a parent, gran or grandpa is living with an illness which will inevitably end their life.
“I know times are tough financially and people are struggling but I would ask anyone reading this to consider making a donation. Every pound counts. Paisley Daily Express readers are renowned for rallying round a good cause and St Vincent’s is one of the best.”
Hugh added: “The hospice is a vital lifeline for many people some of whom have told me of their own experiences and how they will never forget how sensitive and caring staff were as they faced someone they loved.
“The hospice is in a beautiful, tranquil setting, with its own a day care centre where anyone can go along to meet and chat to others going through the same experience. It was nice to see patient rooms where family can stay over with their loved one and have their own special time.
“This is the 25th anniversary of the charity and I will be doing my best to make sure their efforts stay in the spotlight and the target of £1million is reached. I am confident, that together with the help of the paisley Daily express, the people of Renfrewshire will make it happen.”
Brona McGee, Director of Care at St Vincent’s, said:” It was great that Hugh agreed to come along and spend so much time with us. It is also wonderful that he is backing the appeal.
“Donations are vital for us. We have far more people with respiratory, heart and neurological conditions and dementia who need our care so we want to get bigger but we also want to stay local.
“Community care is also absolutely imperative to what we do. It would be wonderful if we could expand our services but to do that we need extra money. Our services include day care, home visits and an eight-bed in-patient unit. Our teams work together to support the physical, psychological and emotional needs of our patients and their loved ones.”
Karen Milne, Director of Fundraising said: “Around £5,000 is needed every week to run the hospice and every pound is vital. This is our silver anniversary and the more people who know about what we do the better.
“We were pleased to have Hugh along to give him an update on what’s happening with the hospice, the appeal and how the team is moving forward. We are grateful for his support financially and otherwise. He spent time chatting to staff as he toured the hospice and pledged to do whatever he can to help us in this special year.
“Hugh has also agreed to come along and fire some of the questions at contestants taking part in our fund raising Quiz Dinner in October which is wonderful.”
• £25 provides one hour’s personalised nursing care for a patient.
• £250 provides a young person with specialists counselling sessions from the Patients and family Support team, either at school or in the hospice.
• £2, 5000 provides specialist pressure relieving mattresses for assisting patients with poorer mobility and to prevent pressure sores.
