Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas with East Lancashire Hospice in association with the Lancashire Telegraph and LocalIQ. Over the coming days, we will be sharing with you some of the amazing stories from across the hospice which demonstrate the incredible care provided to our patients and their families by our outstanding team of staff and volunteers. In addition we will be showcasing many of our other services from fundraising events to Café Retreat for East Lancashire Hospice as well as our shops and furniture showroom.

To launch the 12 Days of Christmas, CEO Lyn Stevenson outlines why East Lancashire Hospice needs your help

As we all know, the past 21 months have been incredibly challenging for everyone and I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during this time to continue to care for our patients and their families both here at the hospice and out in the communities of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

I would also like to take the opportunity to recognise the unwavering support of individuals and businesses in our local community, who despite their own challenges, have continued to support the hospice by donating money, items and their time and without whom, we simply could not do what we do.

It costs in excess of £3.9million a year to run the hospice which equates to over £10,000 a day!

Two thirds of this funding comes from the amazing support received from the local community and as a charity, the hospice is heavily reliant upon this support, never more so than now after a prolonged period which saw the temporary closure of our shops, furniture warehouse and Café Retreat, as well as the cancellation of all of our fundraising events due to the pandemic.

Sadly, with yet more uncertainty on the horizon, we continue to need your support and whilst I know that times are difficult for us all, we would like to once again ask you to help - however you can. Any donation you make goes directly towards the provision of patient care to ensure all of the patients and their families at the hospice are able to ‘make the most of life’.

If you or anyone you know would like to make a donation please visit www.eastlancshospice.org.uk/christmas or call our Fundraising Team on (01254) 287014.

On behalf of the patients, volunteers, staff and trustees at East Lancashire Hospice, I would like to finish by saying a huge thank you for making it possible for us to continue to support the communities of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley at the time when they need us the most.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year and I hope that you and your loved ones stay safe and well over the coming months

Lyn Stevenson

Chief Executive Officer

East Lancashire Hospice