New Charity Partnership
We are delighted to announce that our new charity partner is Dorset-based Macmillan Caring Locally.
50 Year Anniversary
This year marks the 50th year of exceptional care in our local community and we’re really proud to be able to support them during a landmark year. The Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital is a Specialist Palliative Care Unit and Hospice for patients in South East Dorset and South West Hampshire. Despite the similarity in the name, Macmillan Caring Locally is in no way affiliated with or funded by donations to the national ‘Macmillan Cancer Support’ charity.
The reason we’ve chosen Macmillan Caring Locally as our partner for the next financial year, is because it’s one very close to our hearts.
Supporting patients and families
In September 2023, our friend and colleague James Barber tragically passed away at the age of 37 after a brave and courageous 2 year battle with bladder cancer. It was the incredible staff from the Macmillan Caring Locally team who provided the ‘Hospice at Home’ service which allowed James to spend his last precious weeks with his family and as much time as possible with his beautiful daughter Kate.
Speaking of the service provided by Macmillan Caring Locally, James’ sister and our CCO Jade commented ‘The nurses from the Hospice at Home care team were amazing. They could not have been more helpful and kind throughout this difficult time. They were there for James day and night, and also supported my Mum, Sister-in-Law and myself when needed. I can’t thank them enough for all they did for my brother’.
We’ll be kicking off our fundraising with a company sea swim on James’ birthday. When the sea temperature is at one of its lowest points in the year, our team will be braving the waves with a smile for charity and to celebrate James’ life.
Seeing for ourselves the impact that the Macmillan Caring Locally team has, made it a very easy decision for us to choose them as our partner for 2024. We look forward to supporting with fundraising and education initiatives to spread the word about this charity and the incredible work that they do in our community.
You can contribute to our fundraising efforts on our Just Giving Page.