Foyle Hospice funding fears

January 2020: John McMonagle, Tree of Remembrance , organised by Life Tree at Foyleside presenting a cheque for £3,625 to Ailbhe Temple and Donal Henderson, Foyle Hospice, the proceed of collections during Christmas. Fundraising has been severely impacted since the pandemic restrictions have been introduced. (Stephen Latimer Photography)

Donal Henderson also warned that the massive reduction in funding as a reuslt of activties generally stalling across the north west could impact on service delivery in the future.

He was speaking after Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced a £6.75m funding package to secure pallitative care facilities including Foyle Hospice, Marie Curie NI Hospice, Southern Area Hospice and the NI Hospice & Children’s Hospice.

Mr Henderson, who is also Chairperson of the Hospice Alliance NI, said: “This helps with the income we have lost in the first few months of 2020, due to shop closures and suspended fundraising events, as well as wider economic uncertainty.

“Most importantly this funding recognises the need for our services, and whilst it will go some way in alleviating the crippling financial burden that we are facing, it does not ensure that Hospices are safe and does not replace our income for the year.

“The £600,000 grant will still leave a significant deficit which we know will continue to grow as our fundraising income will be dramatically reduced. “We continue to be grateful for every penny we receive from our extremely generous and supportive community. Ultimately this could have an impact on the delivery of our services in the future, but we want to reassure people that we are still here for them, providing compassionate care and support where it is most needed.”

Director of Income Generation and Communications, Sheila Duffy said that Foyle Hospice is required to raise approximately £2.2million from the local community every year. All fundraising events and activities have been suspended and its five shops have been closed since mid-March which will have a serious financial impact on the organisation.

Sheila said: “We realise that this additional funding is likely to be short term and our fundraising team are working hard to deliver some exciting and innovative virtual events, as well as looking at ways to schedule our regular flagship events. We hope that everyone will participate as much as they can and continue to support our work.”

If you would like to share a fundraising idea for Foyle Hospice, telephone 028 71359888.

Foyle Hospice provides nine bed spaces in its In-Patient Care Unit, as well as Day Hospice facilities, community nursing, 24/7 Advice Line and bereavement counselling services for both adults (Forget Me Not) and children (Healing Hearts).

The total annual cost of providing the services is approximately £3.2 million. Around 30% of overall running costs comes from HSCB with the remaining 70% of the annual costs provided through the support and generosity of the North West communities.

Foyle Hospice has been providing Hospice and Palliative Care services in the North West since 1985.