Hospice launches Spring Appeal to ensure families receive care when they need it most
At Keech Hospice, care means supporting families through some of the most uncertain moments they will ever face.
Throughout May, Keech Hospice, which provides free, specialist end-of-life care for people of all ages across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, is aiming to raise £27,000 through its Spring Appeal.
A family’s story
At the forefront of the appeal will be real families’ stories, to help the community understand the breadth and diversity of patients that receive vital support from Keech.
Among them is Kayleigh and Sam, mum and dad to Evelyn who had a rare condition called MIRAGE syndrome. Kayleigh explains:
“At first, when a nurse mentioned Keech Hospice, we didn’t think it was for us. We thought hospices were only for people whose death was imminent and Evelyn was doing well at the time. We didn’t realise how much support they could offer families like ours. But once we started visiting Keech, everything changed. Keech was a breath of fresh air. I just wish we’d found them sooner.”
Sam adds: “Keech helped turn something that could have been traumatic into something beautiful. They gave us special moments that we’ll never forget.”
When Evelyn died peacefully at Keech, she was cuddled up with her mummy as they sang her favourite bedtime song to her.
The difference it makes
The Spring Appeal focuses on what difference donations make. A gift of £55, for example, funds one hour of specialist care, helping families spend time together when life is at its most fragile.
A gift of £28 could give a child with a life-limiting condition the chance to play in a safe, caring space.
End-of-life care is not confined to the final days of life. It can mean careful preparation, expert symptom management and being consistently present, sometimes for months or years as a condition progresses.
A nurse’s story
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kevin has worked in palliative care for nearly twenty years. He says: “I’ve learned that end-of-life care isn’t only about dying; it’s about living well right to the very last moment. It’s about dignity, comfort and compassion. I see every day how much it matters for someone to feel safe, heard and cared for, whether that’s wherever you call home, surrounded by family, or here at the hospice. Choice at this time of life is incredibly powerful and it can make all the difference.
“Hospice care changes lives — even at the very end of life — and with your support, we can be there for everyone who needs us.”
Get involved
A donation to Keech’s Spring Appeal will help the hospice continue to provide expert, compassionate care to local patients and families facing the hardest days of their lives.
To make a donation to Keech Hospice’s Spring Appeal, visit Keech.org.uk or call 01582 707940.