Utility bills are the second biggest cost for Les Bourgs Hospice after staffing. The hospice receives £10,000 from the Christmas Lottery for general running costs.
‘The hospice is independent and relies entirely on public support and this will really help us with our day-to-day costs. It probably sounds a bit boring, but without these fundamentals being covered we wouldn’t be able to operate.’ Said, Jo Boyd, Hospice Director.
The hospice not only cares for people facing the end of their life, it also offers support, help and advice to families and carers. There are seven beds and this year it needs to raise £1.2m to meet the running costs.
Fundraising administrator Trish De Carteret said the work they do is very varied.
‘People think that if you go into a hospice, that’s the end, but actually we offer short stays for respite care or pain relief. Many patients visit for a short time and then go home, it’s not necessarily the end of their lives. The range of work we do is much broader than you might think.’
‘Having grants from the Christmas Lottery gives us some peace of mind. We are lucky in Guernsey that people want to support us. Lots of families have been through our doors and experienced what we do here.’