Weldmar Hospicecare has issued a plea for supporters to “stand by them” during the remainder of the Covid-19 pandemic, and help them “be resilient for the future”.
It comes as the charity announces two key fundraising events have been cancelled this summer, with more in doubt in the coming months.
The newly revamped ‘Moonlight Walk’, which men and children were invited to take part in for the first time, was due to be help at Lodmoor Country Park on Saturday 18th July but will no longer be taking place. This is the first time in thirteen years that the flagship event will not run.
June’s Great Dorset Cycle Challenge will also no longer run, and the estimated loss to Weldmar’s coffers from cancelled events and activities alone, since the start of the pandemic, is an estimated £346,000. This does not include any money lost from the closure of charity shops and financial donations, which exceeds well over £1M.
Weldmar remain committed to delivering frontline, end of life care with compassion, comfort and dignity, both at their Inpatient Unit in Dorchester and in patients’ own homes across Dorset, although lockdown restrictions and social distancing have meant the charity have faced increasing challenges on how that care is provided.
Weldmar’s 24/7 Advice Line has been extended to provide other healthcare providers in Dorset with specialist palliative care advice at this time, whilst family support and counselling continues using technology such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. It’s estimated that the cost of all services and care provided by Weldmar will cost £2.3M between May and September.
Matt Smith, Director of Fundraising and Marketing, has told KeeP 106: “The loss of income is irreplaceable. The effects of Covid-19 will stay with Weldmar Hospicecare for years to come. But we need to be adapting and adjusting right now. We need to ensure that we are able to recover from this loss of income as quickly as possible and that is why, as an organisation, we need to be resilient – and you can help.”
The charity is encouraging regular donations, participation in virtual fundraising events, and signing up to their weekly lottery, as easy and affordable ways to support them for the longer term.
