Carlisle United’s ‘United for Business’ group were delighted to accept an invite to an off-site meeting on Friday morning hosted by Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, located on Barras Lane in Dalston.
Fiona Stobart, CEO at Hospice at Home, opened the meeting with what was a fascinating insight into the history of the charity, the valuable and vital work that it does, and the challenges faced by a service which continues to grow, expand and develop its palliative and end-of-life care, both for those who need their help directly and for their families and carers.
Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “It was a real insight for everybody who attended to hear about the vital work Hospice at Home does. It needs funding to run a service which, we have to remember, is completely free of charge to those who need the care and assistance as they go through a very difficult time.
“I think we all know from talking to colleagues and friends around Cumbria that the quality of care given by Hospice at Home is magnificent, but I don’t think many of us will realise just how big a challenge it is for them to raise the necessary funds to allow them to continue to do what they do so well.
“As a club we will do all we can to support them and their work in the community and we already have some ideas. We hope our fans and the businesses of Cumbria can do the same.
“On behalf of everyone connected with our United for Business group I’d like to thank Fiona and her staff for inviting us along, and for allowing us to hear about what they do. Hopefully the relationship between the group and Hospice at Home will continue to grow from here.”
Long-term United supporter Barry Maxey, corporate fundraiser with the charity, highlighted some of the ongoing fundraising activities with a reminder of the sobering statistic that just one night of nursing care costs £152.
“I was touched by a situation which meant that I needed the services of Hospice at Home a few years ago and I’ve been involved ever since,” he explained. “I’ve recently taken on the role of corporate fundraiser because we’re now at a point where central funding is only at just over 18% of our annual requirement.”
“That’s why we are always looking to form new partnerships with businesses and companies and we encourage individuals and local groups to think about us as well, whenever they are raising money for charity. The work done by the staff at Hospice at Home is vital and that’s why I’ll continue to do whatever I can to keep the funds they need coming in.”
Click HERE to visit the Hospice for Home website for information on fundraising and the services they provide.
The club would like to thank representatives from businesses who supported the event:
Armstrong Watson
Baines Wilson
Barclays
Bendles Solicitors
Clydesdale Bank
David Allen Financial Services
H&H
Lakeland Fleet Management Ltd
Liberty Work and Leisure
Park Gate & Co Ltd
Prism Financial Advice Ltd
Unwin Jones Partnership
United for Business will meet again ahead of the Grimsby Town home game on Tuesday 2 October.
For more information about that meeting, or about becoming a member of United for Business, please contact commercial manager Jenny Anderson on 01228 554 155.
Click HERE for information on the United for Business package and membership cost.
