St Oswald’s Hospice launch one million pound emergency appeal - to keep them going through the coronavirus pandemic

St Oswald’s Hospice, based in Gosforth, Newcastle, is calling on their supporters to come together to help the charity raise desperately needed funds which it says will be lost as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

All 25 St Oswald’s charity shops across the region have closed in line withgovernment guidelines and most of the planned fundraising events andcampaigns for the spring and summer have been postponed or cancelled.

The charity bosses have estimated that these vital measures will lead to a loss in fundraising revenue of £1,125,000 over the next three months.An urgent appeal has now been launched, asking the north east community to come together to support their local hospice at a very difficult time.

James Ellam, Chief Executive at St Oswald’s Hospice said: “Coronavirus is having a stark impact on our services, and we are now facing an unprecedented challenge to our income. Over the next three months, St Oswald’s Hospice will not be able to raise the £1,125 million we would have normally raised through voluntary income.

“I therefore need to take some drastic steps to safeguard our hospice financially, and see us through to the time when the coronavirus crisis is over, by calling on the support of our amazing community of friends and supporters. We need them now more than ever.”

So far, over £30,000 has been raised through the appeal, but as James Ellam explains, more funds are urgently needed, especially as the hospice is gearing up to support their NHS colleagues through the peak of the virus:

“St Oswald’s Hospice is a frontline service which has always supported ourincredible NHS. We are already in conversations with our NHS partners about how we can support them further due to Coronavirus. We are at the sharp end and we want to be able to continue to help us all through this critical time.

“I want to say a huge personal thank you to everyone who has donated to this urgent appeal so far and for all the wonderful messages of love and support we have received. As a North East institution which has been caring for local families at a time when they really need it, for 34 years, if you are in a position to support us, please consider making a donation to safeguard your local charitable hospice for the years to come.”