ST Clare Hospice is highlighting the vital contribution made by their ‘heroic’ supporters as it prepares to celebrate national Hospice Care Week (3-9 October).

The Hastingwood-based charity is marking the national week of campaigning with the theme ‘Hospice care is Heroic’ and is celebrating the dedication and heroism of its team of more than 120 skilled staff and 550 dedicated volunteers.

St Clare Hospice’s Director of Patient Care, Philip Ball, said: “Every year St Clare Hospice offers care and support to over 1,700 people across West Essex and East Herts. This support is unique to the individual, helping those with a life-limiting illness to live life as fully as possible. This Hospice Care Week we are keen to show just how varied and surprising St Clare’s work can be – and how heroic our supporters are.”

Philip Ball said: “Everything we do at St Clare is only possible because of the heroic dedication of hundreds of staff and volunteers. They may not get to wear a superhero cape, but our supporters – from our volunteers, support staff and nurses, to our fundraisers, business partners and charity shoppers – make a heroic difference every day to our patients.”

St Clare is celebrating a different group of heroic supporters every day of Hospice Care Week, highlighting how local people and businesses can help the charity. Throughout the week they will dedicate a day to focus on their heroic: volunteers, corporate partners, friends, charity shoppers, fundraisers, nurses and clinical staff.

St Clare will be starting the week by highlighting the support given by their ‘heroic volunteers’ including the story of Val Foster – a volunteer on the Inpatient Unit who is also joining the team from St Clare who are trekking across Cambodia in November.

Val Foster said: “At the start of my shift on a Friday evening, I go round and speak to every patient in the unit. It is amazing what aspects of people’s lives they will share with you. It is an enormous privilege and a very humbling position to be in. I have also just sat for my whole shift and held someone’s hand, if that is what the patient needs.”

The week’s most uplifting story comes from their ‘heroic friend’ and therapy dog, Thea – a seven year old terrier who befriends outpatients in their Day Therapy service as well as those staying on the Inpatient Unit.

Thea’s owner said: “Thea loves coming to St Clare and gets so excited when her yellow ‘Pets as Therapy’ tabard comes out. Thea has such a calming effect on the patients as stroking an animal lowers your blood pressure and relaxes you. I think if Thea could speak, she would say Hospice care is about friends. We have both made so many friends here.”

The week will finish by highlighting the efforts of their ‘heroic fundraisers’ with the story of Henry Richards, their 13 year old supporter who raised £10,000 at a charity cricket match at Woodford Wells Cricket Club in memory of his mother, Toni Richards.

Henry said: “We held this charity day to help support the wonderful charities that made my mum feel cared for and not alone, from the day she was diagnosed with cancer, with their endless support and kindness. They did the best they could for her and they cared for her just like family. I believe the work of St Clare Hospice is amazing, and to help others in my Mum’s situation, I decided to hold this day to show our gratitude for how they cared for her.”

To find out how you can help St Clare this Hospice Care Week, and for all the stories of St Clare’s ‘heroic’ supporters, visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk