Category: Blog

Weston Hospicecare will mark its 30^th anniversary with a service of celebration and thanksgiving at Christ Church in Montpelier on April 30.

The hospice was founded in 1989 and is commemorating the landmark with a series of events throughout the year, including the service next week.

It is fitting that the event is being held at Christ Church, as the charity’s roots lie there too – it was a group of parishioners from the Weston church who first came up with the idea of creating a hospice for the area.

Tuesday’s service will include a look back on the successes of the organisation’s first 30 years, an overview of the contemporary hospice, and a look ahead to the future ambitions of the charity too.

The event is free and open to all, so anyone with a connection to the hospice – either as a patient, employee, volunteer, or supporter – is welcome to head along.

Seating is limited, but can be guaranteed on a first come, first served basis, by emailing 30thservice@westonhospicecare.org.uk or by calling 01934 423900.

The event begins at 7pm.

Twelve brave couples from North Somerset have helped raised more than £18,000 at Weston Hospicecare’s Strictly Fun Dancing.

The couples all danced either a salsa or a waltz on 23 March before five pairs went through to the final at the Winter Gardens.

Participants Angie Szabo and Stuart Milne took home the trophy after winning the judges’ vote for their dances.

BBC Radio Bristol’s Emma Britton, event sponsor Demetris Demetriou, dance teacher Chloe Helmore and last year’s winners Sarah Woolf and John Harvey judged the couples’ dances.

More than 340 people bought tickets for the occasion and packed out the Winter Gardens in Weston for another memorable night for all associated with Weston Hospicecare.

The night was compered by television presenter Martin Roberts, best known for Homes Under The Hammer, who gave his time for free. Dance teachers Ben Hazell and Ali Cooling, from Weston-based Burning Salsa, taught the couples their routines in the weeks leading up to the grand finale.

So far the fundraising total stands at £18,008 with additional funds set to take the total over £20,000.

Hospice events manager Kelsey Dehaney said: “I thought it was a fantastic event, we are so proud of how far everyone came along during the 10-weeks of training. They certainly put on a fantastic show.

“We are so grateful to everyone who helped us put the event together, including Martin Roberts, Burning Salsa, our brilliant judges and event sponsor Demetris Taverna.

“Thank you too to everyone who came along and gave so generously for Weston Hospicecare, your support is very much appreciated.”

Students from Weston College pampered the couples before they took centre stage.

Sandra Bull, the college’s lead for hair and beauty, said: “We were pleased to get involved with such a worthy charity. The event was a great opportunity for the Weston College hair and media makeup students to perfect their blow-drying and curling hair skills, and applying creative make up using colours to match the outfits.”

The hospice were helped by a whole range of volunteers on the night and without them wouldn’t be able to organise the event.

The charity must cover 80% of its running costs each year which means only 20% of the charities £4.2million running costs are covered by the NHS. This means sales from shops, donations and fundraising events like Strictly Fun Dancing are crucial.

To view the event photos and to watch the event video click here. Next up on the fundraising events calendar for Weston Hospicecare is the Mendip Challenge which will take place on Sunday 2 June. Those eager to take part can sign up today by visiting westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendip.

A Weston General Hospital housekeeper will support Weston Hospicecare in this year’s Mendip Challenge after the charity provided end-of-life care to her 44-year-old husband.

Sharon Hogarth has signed up to take on the 10-mile route in support of the hospice after her husband Grant was supported by the charity before he died from lung cancer.

The Mendip Challenge is the charity’s most popular fundraiser and will take place on Sunday 2 June, offering hundreds people a chance to walk 10, 20 or 30-mile route in aid of the hospice during its 30^th anniversary year.

Sharon said: “Grant and I had only been married for seven months when he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in February 2017.

“He was given approximately 15-18 months to live, but sadly passed away just three months later.

“We were on a holiday in Majorca on what was our ‘last holiday’ but we were forced to return early as his breathing and pain had increased rapidly.”

Sharon described how the hospice made life more comfortable for Grant, herself, and their families, once they had returned to the UK.

She said: “He was admitted to hospital and was there for a week and then he stayed at home for four days until a bed was available at Weston Hospicecare.

“I was able to stay with Grant in his room and I didn’t leave the hospice once he was admitted, something I will be forever grateful for.

“The staff were amazing, so kind and caring. We were looked after as well as Grant was and they offered so much comfort and support at what truly is the most awful time.

“I cannot put into words how truly grateful I am that my beloved husband was cared for with such kindness and dignity.”

Sharon finished by expressing how lucky Weston and the surrounding villages are to have access to the hospice should they need it.

She said: “We are very lucky to have such an amazing place here, without it our loved ones may not have the chance to have such a dignified end to their lives.”

It costs £4.2million each year to run the charity and support expert care given to those who need them meaning support from the community at fundraising events, like the Mendip Challenge, is crucial.

Nearly 400 people have already signed up to take part in Weston Hospicecare’s 30^th anniversary year Mendip Challenge. It costs £15 per adult and £10 per child with participants encouraged to raise sponsorship money on top.

To join Sharon by taking part, visit Weston Hospicecare’s Mendip Challenge website page by visiting westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendip to register.