ST Clare Hospice knows how special Christmas can be and want to ensure that their patients can spend precious time with their families, creating unforgettable moments and lasting memories to cherish for years to come.

The Hastingwood-based charity launched its Christmas fundraising campaign, Care for St Clare, with an ambitious goal of raising £80,000 to support its vital services during the Christmas week. These funds will enable the Hospice to continue providing life-changing care for patients with life-limiting conditions and their families during festive season.

Thanks to the generosity of local people, St Clare has raised £65,000, but they still need the public’s help to raise the remaining £15,000. The money raised will fund a week’s worth of compassionate care at Christmas – whether that’s in the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit, in people’s own homes, in care homes, offering emotional and practical support to grieving families, or simply answering a call to their 24-hour Advice Line for someone in distress.

Rosie Knowles, Director of Income Generation, said “Each year, we provide care and support to patients and their families at Christmas, helping them to make the most of their time together.

“We want to ensure our specialist doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, therapists and counsellors can continue to go above and beyond at Christmas. Our staff work tirelessly, providing round the clock care throughout the festive season, so families can enjoy precious moments together. But, while our care and support is free to everyone who needs it, it comes with a cost to deliver.

“With growing financial pressure on the Hospice, we are more reliant than ever on the generosity of our supporters to help us raise the thousands of pounds that we need every single day to keep our services running.

“Raising £80,000 is a big ask. But, with your support, we can make sure families are able to create memories to cherish next Christmas – and for many Christmases to come.

“Anything you can give – big or small – will ensure St Clare can be there for local families who are going through the worst time of their lives at Christmas.’’

The Care for St Clare campaign is supported by Bradley Kramer, his nine-year-old sister Ava, and their family, who experienced first-hand the extraordinary care provided by St Clare during their father Bob’s battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

‘‘To say our lives changed that day would be an understatement. He was in so much pain physically and emotionally, and it was hard to watch’’, said Bradley.
This year will be their first Christmas without their dad. Bradley’s little sister, Ava, aged 9 fondly remembers that “Christmas was my daddy’s favourite time of year. He would ask for lots of presents and always make us laugh by pretending he hadn’t got any. Last Christmas, we had three turkeys because Daddy loved turkey so much! Our favourite Christmas film to watch together was The Polar Express. This year will feel very different watching it without him. I will miss him.”

Bradley recalls, ‘‘When Dad was first diagnosed, we were terrified and didn’t know who to turn to for help. Then St Clare Hospice came into our lives, and things started to change.

‘‘One of their incredible specialist nurses, Cate, visited dad at home to help manage his pain, and the relief she provided was nothing short of a miracle. I can’t put into words what it’s like to see your dad in pain – and feel helpless – but St Clare stepped in, not just to care for Dad, but for all of us as a family. I always thought a hospice was a place you go to at the end of your life, but St Clare is so much more than that. They were with us every step of the way. Whether it was adjusting Dad’s medication or offering emotional support during our darkest days, they were always there to lift us up.’’

At Christmas time, St Clare goes above and beyond for patients and their families. Their dedicated staff work tirelessly, providing round-the-clock care for patients, both in their homes and in the Hospice. Christmas can be difficult for those living alone or who desperately miss a loved one. St Clare’s expert teams also help everyone who may be struggling with grief.

Bradley added, ‘‘without St Clare’s help, I truly believe our family would have struggled far more than we did. The kindness and care they’ve shown us has been a lifeline in ways I never imagined possible. But St Clare Hospice can only continue doing this work with the generosity of people like you.’’

Ava said, “I miss my daddy every day, but I will miss him especially at Christmas. But I know St Clare helped him, and that helps me feel better.”
We’re calling on our incredible communities in West Essex and East Herts to come together and help us raise the £80,000 needed to fund a week of care at Christmas. Every pound donated helps us continue our work and make a lasting difference for families.

You can make a donation to the Care for St Clare via Care for St Clare at Christmas – St Clare Hospice . Alternatively, call the St Clare fundraising team on 01279 773750 to make a donation over the phone. Giving just £30 could help families make special memories together in the comfort of their own home on Christmas day.