Hospice Isle of Man will, along with other hospices nationally and worldwide, celebrate Hospice Care week – by asking local people and companies to Make Their Moments Count during the week 7th to 13th October 2013.
This is an annual week of activity to help raise the profile of hospice care across the UK. It is timed to coincide with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 11th October 2013, which aims to raise awareness and support across the globe.
The concept is being developed to help draw attention to how local hospices reach out to and support many different communities in their local areas.
Margaret Simpson, Chief Executive of Hospice explains: “Many people don’t realise that we provide care for people with a range of conditions, not just cancer. Every year Hospice Isle of Man will look after 350 patients and their families. I ask people to think about their local hospice during this awareness week particularly as it is celebrates 30 years of looking after patients facing life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.” “For patients facing these challenges, knowing someone is there at a time of need to provide all the care the person requires at every level can make such a difference to them personally and to their families.”
She added: “I ask that the public think about Hospice and all the work it does within our small community.” “We have looked after 10,000 patients during the 30 years on the Island, which is a huge amount of people on such a small island.” “It is worth reminding every donor that 83p of every ? donated is spent on patient care.”
I am delighted that a team from all areas of the clinical side of Hospice have got together and organised some fun ‘blue’ events. The whole week will be themed blue as that is a colour synonymous with Hospice – our new bus is blue!
The week will start of with ‘Walk 30 miles for Hospice” relay event. This event is on Sunday 6th October. The Peel to Douglas walk will start at Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel and end at Hospice Isle of Man. The idea is a team of 3 people will walk all 10 miles or 6 people can walk 5 miles each; 3 people walk the first 5 miles and 3 people will walk the second 5 miles. The mile markers on the route will indicate where the handover will be. The cumulative amount will be 30 miles. The walk will finish with hot chocolate and cup cakes (blue of course). It will start at 10am ending at Hospice between 12.30pm-1pm. Staff from the charity have already signed up. The walk will cost ?5 per person. Individual or companies are encouraged to get involved. Wearing blue is encouraged! Contact 647432 to register your team!
The following evening sees a fun quiz at the Outback on Monday 7th October. Entry is ?10 for a team of six and the event starts at 7.30pm. Ring 647432 to register your team.
The week of profile and fundraising will wrap up with Blue Friday. Hospice is holding a blue coffee morning in their Scholl Centre Day Unit between 10am and noon. Tea/coffee and cake will be served with the option of a tour of Hospice and the children’s hospice, Rebecca House.
It is also hoped that companies or individuals will hold ‘blue coffee mornings’ – blueberry muffins? Wear blue to the office and donate a ?2. It is hoped that local primary and secondary schools also get involved by dressing up in blue on Friday 11th October. To register your coffee morning or your school please contact 647432.
Heron and Brearley will be involved by serving blue drinks in certain pubs around the Island. Further details to follow.
All Hospice shops will turn blue for this week too. Don’t forget you can also donate your unwanted summer clothes in a blue bag – contact 615055 to get your bag. If an office wants to get involved we will arrange a mass pick up on the blue Friday!
The Hospice bus and a team of staff, apparently one blue smurf will be in the mix, will visit your office to take ‘blue’ photographs showing your company’s involvement. This fun event will definitely tick the corporate social responsibility box!
There are lots of blue ideas – how about singing the blues for Hospice or dressing as a Smurf for the day!
For further details contact Hospice on 647431, email fundraising@hospice.org.im, visit one of the Hospice shops, follow them on Twitter @Hospice IoM or visit Hospice’s Facebook at hospiceiom.
Key contact for all events is Stacey Robinson, Fundraising and Event Administrator, who can be contacted on stacey.robinson@hospice.org.im.
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
