LEICESTERSHIRE HOUSEBUILDER MAKES GRAND GESTURE TO LOCAL HOSPICE

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes North Midlands has recently made a £1,000 donation to a hospice in Melton Mowbray which supports people with life-limiting illnesses.

Dove Cottage Day Hospice, in Stathern, helps those with illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and offers its care services free of charge.

The donation came as part of the Barratt Developments Plc Charitable Foundation, which is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, across the UK to leave a legacy in the communities in which the housebuilder operates.

Patient care costs £100 per day per guest at the hospice, so the £1,000 donation will fund 10 guests to be at the hospice, or one guest to stay for 10 days.

Chris Gatfield, CEO at Dove Cottage Day Hospice, said: “We’re elated! The donation came out of the blue, so it was a fantastic surprise for us to receive a cash boost at a time when we’re trying to help more people and have more members of our local community come to us for a nice day of care.

“We are a small team, and news like this makes the whole hospice happy.

“Donations such as this mean we can offer care to people with life-limiting illnesses who otherwise wouldn’t get out for the day. Our nursing team are here to provide a high level of holistic care and look after guests’ physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs, so it means a lot to those that come here.”

The hospice provides nursing care and advice, wellbeing activities such as complementary therapies, chaplaincy team support, games, crafts, refreshments and a home-cooked lunch.

Its guests visit the hospice to be cared for in a home from home atmosphere, usually for one day a week, and there is a range of services such as dementia and family support groups and help in coping with a bereavement.

Donations can also provide a much-needed break for the carers, as they can take some time out from their 24/7 care responsibilities and treat themselves to lunch with a friend, get their hair cut, get their jobs done or make the most of a day off.

Chris added: “As rules and regulations changed due to the pandemic, we had to adapt to continue care for our guests and those who need a lifeline. A lot of our traditional fundraising methods were taken away, and so we had to rely on grants and virtual events to see us through.

“It has certainly been a challenge, but hopefully we are stronger and more flexible for it.

“Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes’ Community Fund scheme is very good and the fact that we were chosen by a particular employee adds to the feelgood factor.

“£1,000 is a lot of money to a small charity such as ourselves, so any cash injection of this amount is always so gratefully received and can be put to use immediately to help our guests.”

Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, said: “Dove Cottage Day Hospice is an excellent facility for those in need and its wonderful staff and support services offered to people with life-limiting illnesses are an asset to the community.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the charity’s support through our Community Fund scheme and it’s a privilege to learn our donation could support up to 10 guests at the hospice.”