hospice

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It is Dying Matters Awareness Week, so lets talk about Hospice in the Weald

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TODAY is the first day of ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’, so we felt it was the right time to mention the outstanding work of our charity client hero, Hospice in the Weald.

Hospice in the Weald provides care completely free of charge to patients with terminal illness, their families and carers in West Kent and Northern East Sussex.

We first got to know the team in January 2021, when we were appointed to help promote the 'Right Now!' campaign to help relieve NHS bed-pressure created by the Pandemic and let locals know that they didn’t need to die alone in visitor restricted hospital.

Our campaign featured across BBC, KMTV and our key local papers, and we heard from a huge number who got in touch to let us know how they had personally touched or supported by the charity. The free care the dedicated team provide to our local community members at the end of their lives has an invaluable impact, not simply through access to medical support, but also in terms of mental wellbeing for all involved.

Funded predominantly by donations, Hospice in the Weald has been able to remain open throughout the pandemic and has helped over 1685 patients, alongside their friends, family and support networks, thanks to the tireless efforts of the team. It has been one of the only places in the UK where, despite Covid-19 restrictions, people have been able to see out their final days in quality accommodation, free of charge and surrounded by loved ones until the end. The difference this has made, and continues to make, to each and every patients and the families they leave behind is immeasurable.

Coupled with our love for the Hospice and everything they do, our Director Laura Gibson has her own story…

“Five years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto immune disease. It hurt to even walk. I went on a journey with various medications before finding one that worked and now, all this time later, I am regularly running long distances thanks to brilliant doctors and a bit of perseverance! When Team Hospice mentioned the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2021, it seemed the ideal opportunity to marry this new found strength with fundraising for an amazing cause. Like many, I have lost loved ones through the course of the pandemic and haven't been able to say goodbye in person and that is something that will stay with me forever. So I am running this for all those people lost, the people they've left behind and hoping to help the Hospice reduce such experiences for the future through donations and raising awareness of what they do.”

God bless.