Councillor allocates funds to give 'vital' support to Herts hospice charity during lockdown

The money has been donated to help compensate Rennie Grove for the loss of earnings from its Warners End shop which has been forced to close during the coronavirus outbreak, along with the other 27 Rennie Grove charity shops.

The shop in Warners End is highly valued in the local community, not only because of the funds it raises from the loyal support of its customers for Rennie Grove’s hospice at home services, but also because it provides a much-needed community hub for people to shop and socialise.

Rennie Grove Hospice Care gives adults and children in west Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire who have a life-limiting illness the choice to live as well as possible at home surrounded by family, friends and the things that matter to them most right until the end.

Each Hertfordshire county councillor has a locality budget of £10,000 per year to spend on local projects that promote social, economic and environmental wellbeing of their area.

Councillor Guest said: “Rennie Grove provides vital care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The Warners End Rennie Grove shop is not only important in fundraising, it is part of the community in Warners End.

“I am happy to support it by making a grant from my locality budget to help cover its loss of earnings whilst it is closed due to coronavirus.”

Deborah Gould, Rennie Grove’s Retail and Trading Director, said: “We are extremely grateful to Councillor Guest for her donation, particularly at this difficult time. All 28 of our shops are currently closed which will leave a big gap in our income this year.

“During 2018-19, our shops raised £3.3 million to help fund Rennie Grove’s services and even with the recently announced government help for hospices, we know that this sort of support from the local community will continue to be vital if we are to raise the money we need over the course of this year.

“Thank you councillor Guest for your valued contribution.”

For further information about Rennie Grove Hospice Care or to donate to support its work, please visit the website at renniegrove.org.