Hospice Cycle 2010: Thames Cycle Path

The Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice sponsored cycle ride will take place on October 3. The cycle, which attracted 800 riders last year, is hoping for an even bigger turnout for this year's event.

The event takes place on Sunday October 3 and riders have the choice of 3 start points and 6 routes along the Thames Cycle Path, and they can choose from either a 12 or 24 mile run.

The 3 start and finish points are the Morrisons store in Erith, Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich and Woolwich Arsenal.

Howard King, Fundraising Manager at the Hospice, said: "Our annual cycle is the biggest cycle event of its kind in the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley. Last year it attracted over 800 riders but this year we're hoping for at least 1000 riders to take part. The ride is ideal for families as most of the route takes you along the Thames Path in a traffic-free environment. It's a safe, fun and healthy way to raise funds for your local
Hospice whether you're riding solo or as a member of a team."

Free bike safety checks will be available at the Erith, Greenwich and Woolwich start points and a mobile workshop will be on hand to help out cyclists with mechanical problems.

All children taking part must wear a cycle helmet.

The event starts at 10am.

Registration costs £10, 16 & over or £5 for 5 to15-year-olds.

For details of the event and to register, go to www.cottagehospice.org.uk/cycle, email info@gbch.org.uk or call 020 8319 9230. Alternatively, pick up a registration form from one of the Hospice charity shops, the details of which can be found on the Hospice website
http://www.cottagehospice.org.uk/income_shops.htm . Cycle t-shirts can be purchased at registration.

All money raised from this event will go to help Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice continue to provide their specialist care to Greenwich and Bexley residents who are suffering with a life-limiting illness.

Cycle 2010 is supported by Cycles UK Greenwich, Wheelies Cycles Erith and Sidcup Cycle Centre.

Seven swimmers from Erith & District Swimming Club complete charity Channel swim

Seven Swimmers from Erith & District Swimming Club swam 21-miles relay style across the English Channel on 23 July to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

37-year-old Mark Russell from Bexley was accompanied by John Burdett (Dartford), David Kane (Bexleyheath), Jenny Vick (Erith), father and daughter Tony and Joanne Ball from Bexleyheath and Richard Wilding from Erith (in reserve).  The team swam in one-hour relays from Dover to the French coast in 11 hours 4 minutes.

“We set off at 7.50am on what started out to be a bright sunny day but it soon turned overcast. A couple of us had a touch of sea sickness,” said Mark Russell.

“The water was 16 degrees and the shipping lanes were very choppy. Along the way we faced cold water, jellyfish and ferries!”

“It was great to reach the French coast in 11 hours 4 minutes. It took an hour and a half on our little boat to return to Dover.”

“We’ve raised £3000 so far of which half will come back to Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, a local charity that offers much-needed palliative care and support services for people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers.”

Rockin' all over Sidcup

A Buddy Holly themed tribute night has raised £1,400 for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

The 50's-themed night was held last Friday (23 July) at Sidcup & Footscray United Services Club, Sidcup to raise money for the Abbey Wood-based Hospice.

Over 130 people attended.

The resurrection of the rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly was performed by Buddy Holly tribute act Adam Barnard from Dartford, Kent.

Community Fundraiser Julie Lawrie-Raison said: "This was the first time this event has been held but I am sure it will not be the last. The event sold out - which shows a great demand for this type of night. Everyone had a brilliant time, and the £1,400 raised through ticket sales and a raffle is absolutely fantastic. Thanks to everyone who came along and enjoyed the show."

Hospice Funday raises £10,000

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice hailed this year's Funday (July 18) a great success with over 4,000 people attending. The event, in its 15th successful year, was held on Bostall Heath, Abbey Wood, opposite the Hospice grounds.

80 volunteers helped man the busy market stalls area with all kinds of crafts, plants, books and jewellery to buy, prizes to win, pamper sessions to enjoy and children's activities to take part in - plus arena displays, live music, a classic car show and children's rides. And new for 2010 - Scotty's Circus, where supporters could learn to spin plates, stilt walk, juggle and master new tricks. Participants were invited to put on a show of their new-found skills later in the afternoon.

Susan Adams Community Fundraiser at the Hospice said: "We are so grateful for the support we received from our 80 amazing fundraising volunteers whose hard work and commitment to the Hospice ensured the 2010 event was such a great success. Good weather is the magic ingredient to all our outdoor events - just add the sun to smiling faces and all our Fundays are fabulous! Thanks to everyone who took part."

Approximately £10,000 was raised for the Hospice.

The event, which ran from 1pm to 5pm, was attended by Cllr. Jim Gillman, Deputy Mayor of Greenwich, who chatted to the volunteers and supporters. The event was also attended by Cllr. Val Clark's son and Escort, Jason Clark, who came along with his family and enjoyed the afternoon.

Funday 2010 was sponsored by Roys Stores.

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Lottery marks first birthday with a free prize draw and an event in Broadway

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Lottery is celebrating its first successful year this month (July) with a series of special events and celebrations being held across the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley.

The weekly lottery was first drawn one year ago to help raise much-needed funds towards the £16,500 daily running costs of the Hospice.

From Tuesday 20 July, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice shops will be dressed with lottery-themed window displays, lottery tickets will be available to buy over the counter, and all single lottery tickets sold between Tuesday 20 July and Monday 2 August will be included in a free prize draw to win a chocolate hamper and a bottle of bubbly. A celebration event will also be held in The Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath between Thursday 29 July and Saturday 31 July with a huge birthday cake, balloons, party games and goodies.

Lottery Manager Stacey Booth said: "Our weekly lottery currently has 1167 members and, besides raising money for our vital service, will have created 52 £1,000 winners, and 208 £50 winners by 31 July 2010."

Stacey hopes to continue its success by recruiting 1000 new members to the Lottery within the next year and urges people to rejoin the lottery if their membership has lapsed.

The Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Lottery will celebrate its first birthday on Saturday 31 July 2010.

Anyone over the age of 16 can sign up to the weekly draw at just £2 per week and each week 40 lucky winners share in the £1500 prize fund which has a top prize of £1000. Lottery Gift subscriptions are also available and supporters can purchase single lottery tickets from each of the Hospice's charity shops.

Broadway goes yellow for a day

A yellow-themed summer festival has raised over £2000 for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

The event took place on the Broadway, Bexleyheath on June 19.

Stalls and attractions were decorated with yellow ribbons and sunflowers, while volunteers got into fancy dress to collect donations.

The event, manned by 40 volunteers, handed out sunflower emblems, the symbol of the hospice movement, in return for donations.

In the afternoon, the United Angels Cheerleaders presented a rousing display to delighted shoppers and supporters.

The event was one of many yellow-themed events being held throughout June celebrating National Hospice Awareness Month.

Community Fundraiser Susan Adams said: Sunflower emblems were worn, and stalls were decorated with yellow bows and sunflowers to help brighten up an otherwise cloudy day. But despite the weather, we had a great time, and raised over £2000. Thanks to everyone who came along and joined in the fun."

The Go Yellow-themed activities continue on Saturday (26 June) when Eltham Goes Yellow for the day at the Eltham Centre, Archery Road, Eltham between 10am and 4pm with lots of yellow-themed fun and bargains for all including games, tombolas, home-baked cakes, gifts and goodies. Admission to the all-day event is free.

To find out more please contact the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Fundraising team on 020 8319 9230, email info@gbch.org.uk

School children wear yellow for a day and raise £10,000

A record-breaking 32 schools in the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley supported Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice's 'Go Yellow' day campaign by swapping their school uniforms for yellow outfits and donating one pound to the Hospice. 

The event on June 18 raised over £10,000.

This was one of many yellow-themed events being held throughout June celebrating National Hospice Awareness Month.

Every participating child received a yellow smiley face notepad as a token of the Hospice's appreciation.

Susan Adams Community Fundraiser at the Hospice said: “This event gets bigger every year with more schools taking part than ever. The children put a lot of effort into their outfits and some even sprayed their hair yellow! Thanks to everyone who took part.”

The Go Yellow-themed activities continue on Saturday (26 June) when Eltham Goes Yellow for the day at the Eltham Centre, Archery Road, Eltham between 10am and 4pm with lots  of yellow-themed fun and bargains for all including games, tombolas, home-baked cakes, gifts and goodies. Admission to the all-day event is free.

To find out more please contact the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Fundraising team on 020 8319 9230, email info@gbch.org.uk

The right support, at the right time and in the right place for people with Dementia in Bexley Borough

Thanks to a recent grant of £7,500, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice is now able to pilot a ground-breaking project to reach out to a small group of dementia patients in the London Borough of Bexley.

The money has been awarded through a major grant programme funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing and managed by Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK.

Maaike Vandeweghe, Specialist Practice Development Nurse Manager at Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant, which will help us to try a model to better support people from the Bexley Borough with Dementia, as well as their friends and families.  The project aims to increase awareness of the end of life care needs of dementia patients. More dementia patients should have access to specialist palliative care and be cared for in the place and manner of their choosing. The Hospice hopes to build closer partnerships with other dementia services and raise levels of satisfaction for dementia sufferers and their carers."

Recent reports and research have highlighted the shortcomings in the current provision of dementia services in the UK. Dementia presents a huge challenge to society, both now and increasingly in the future. There are currently 700,000 people in the UK with dementia with an estimated cost of £17 billion a year and, in the next 30 years, the number of people with dementia in the UK will double to 1.4 million, with care costs trebling to over £50 billion a year. Dementia not only has a devastating impact on those with the disorder, but also has profound effects on family members who provide the majority of care.

Contrary to social misconception, there is a very great deal that can be done to help people with dementia. Services need to be re-engineered so that dementia is diagnosed early and well and so that people with dementia and their family carers can receive the treatment, care and support following diagnosis that will enable them to live as well as possible with dementia (Department of Health, 2009).

To find out more about the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Dementia Project in the London Borough of Bexley please contact Maaike Vandeweghe by calling 020 8320 5781 or email her at maaikevandeweghe@gbch.org.uk

Listening Books service extended to Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

Listening Books, the postal and internet-based audiobook library, is providing Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice with its audiobook library service which includes fiction and non-fiction works on MP3 CD.

The Hospice will be one of the first in the UK to receive the free service.

Listening Books' Director, Bill Dee, said: "We are delighted to be working with Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice. We have long been aware that members under hospice care enjoy our audiobooks. So we have decided to structure and resource this initiative to provide our service direct to hospices in a way to reflects their needs and the needs of those in their
care."

The audiobook library service, which includes popular works by Catherine Cookson, Marian Keyes, Bill Bryson and John Grisham, will be delivered to the Hospice on Thursday 17 June.

Are you a Carer of someone with a life-limiting illness?

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice will mark Carers Week (14 -20 June) with an event at Stepping Stones on Friday 18 June.

The theme this year is 'a life of my own', highlighting the difficult stories of carers; those who can describe how they have managed to create a life of their own, and those who feel that they are unable to.

The event is free to attend and open to all carers.

Speakers will include the carer of a patient with Multi System Atrophy (MSA) and a carer of a patient with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) who will share their experience of how caring has impacted on their lives.

Sandra Ascott, who leads on Carer issues for Greenwich Council will also speak on the Council's initiative 'Carers Emergency Contingency Scheme' which is about 'on the spot' support for carers who find themselves in emergency circumstances.

Speakers will start at 11am, and tea and coffee will be served until the event end at 12 noon.

Anthony Boland, Head of Social, Psychological and Spiritual Care at the Hospice, said: "Carers are so often focussed on others' needs that they forget their own. Sadly, their needs can become invisible to the rest of us. This is a chance for us to sit up, take notice and offer our support."

Stepping Stones drop-in service meets twice a month in Shornells Day Centre at Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice. It provides additional support for carers of community patients as well as people with life-limiting illness and the recently bereaved.

For more information about Stepping Stones call Karen Cook on 020 8320 5784
or email karencook@gbch.org.uk .

Staff and customers at Morrisons raise over £5000 in five days for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

Morrisons, the UK's fourth largest food retailer, helped Hospice staff and volunteers raise £5400 last week (19 to 23 May). The money was raised for Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice through bucket collections, a tombola and ‘Go Yellow’ activities in the Erith, Sidcup, Thamesmead andWelling stores.

The collections were arranged after Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK, was chosen as Morrisons new Charity of the Year for 2010/2011. Over 400 stores have been twinned with hospices all over the UK, and Morrisons staff will be supporting hospice care by taking part in lots of fundraising activities throughout the year.

Julie Lawrie-Raison Community Fundraiser at Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice said: "The support we received from Morrisons’ staff and customers was fantastic. We raised a whopping £5400.39 in just five days; it’s an incredible amount of money. I'm really looking forward to us working together for the rest of the campaign year."

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice goes yellow for Hospice Awareness Month

Tuesday 1 June marks the start of the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice ‘Go Yellow’ month with a series of yellow themed events designed to promote awareness around the work of the Hospice movement and generate much-needed cash.

Throughout June, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice will be decorated with yellow ribbons and balloons, local school children will wear yellow and local businesses, groups and individuals will host yellow themed activities and Tea @ 3 parties. All of these events will help raise funds to support the Hospice who care for and support over 2000 people a year in hospital, in care homes and at home.

To find out more and to get involved contact fundraising on 020 8319 9230,
email info@gbch.org.uk

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice seeks to recruit Volunteers to join two new projects

To tie in with Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice has today announced a fresh call for volunteers to join its Carers Befriending Service and Telephone Fundraising Team.

The Hospice is recruiting a team of 30 volunteers to befriend carers of people near the end of life in their homes and three Telephone Fundraisers to explain to people what the Hospice is about and how they can support it.

The volunteer befriender will visit at home, usually once a week for a few hours. They will help the carer by sitting with the patient while the carer takes a break or by providing information about other support services, at other times they may join in an outing or liaise with other services. The main aim is to be a friend-in-need, at a time of practical and emotional turmoil.

The pilot befriending project is funded by Pfizer and is being run in conjunction with Marie Curie Cancer Care to assess the need for and impact of this type of support.

Talking about both of these projects, Barbara Oakes Volunteers Manager at the Hospice said: “Fundraising and retail volunteers help us raise the money we need directly, while other volunteers (such as gardeners, counsellors, therapists and receptionists) help run services we would otherwise have to find even more money to cover. It all adds up to volunteers having an enormous impact on the services that the Hospice offers. Our volunteers are valued members of the Hospice team; they make a big difference to the quality of life of people who have a life-limiting illness.”

If you have time and enthusiasm, skills or experience to offer, please call the Volunteers Department on 020 8320 5812, email: barbaraoakes@gbch.org.uk

Go Yellow to raise a smile for your local hospice

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice charity collectors will be out in force at Morrisons, the UK’s fourth largest food retailer, this month (Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 May).

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice has been twinned with the Erith (James Watt Way), Thamesmead (Twin Tumps Way), Welling (High Street) and Sidcup (Jenner Close) stores.

The collections were announced after Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK, was chosen as Morrisons new Charity of the Year for 2010 / 2011. Over 400 stores have been twinned with hospices all over the UK, and Morrisons staff will be supporting hospice care by taking part in lots of fundraising activities which will include bucket collections, tombolas and Go Yellow activities in store.

Staff and volunteers from Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice and Morrisons (Erith, Thamesmead, Welling and Sidcup) will be joining in the fun to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

Julie Lawrie-Raison Community Fundraiser at the Hospice said: “The staff from Morrisons are so supportive of the hospice movement. It’s great. This is an incredible opportunity for us – I’m really looking forward to us working together.”

David gets on his bike to Paris for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

A 37-year-old man from Welling is cycling 500 km from London to Paris to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

David Hemmings, a timber merchant, decided to combine his love of cycling with a physical and mental challenge to raise money for the Hospice that cared for his fiancée’s mother six years ago.

His four-day 500 km charity cycle ride gets underway on Wednesday 26 May from Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and will culminate at the Champs-Elysees on Saturday 29 May. The route will take him through some beautiful English villages and into the stunning countryside of rural France passing historical landmarks and famous battlefields from World War I until he reaches Paris, undoubtedly one of the most magical places on earth. The event is a fundraiser and not a race, so has been split into four stages in order to make the 500 km a bit less daunting.  

David said: “I’ve been meaning to do something for quite some time to thank Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice for the excellent support they gave to my fiancée at that most difficult time.  The London to Paris bike ride looked like just the ticket to combine my love of cycling with a decent enough challenge to raise money for this most worthy cause.”

David added: “I have elected to pay all the costs involved with the bike ride myself which means every penny I receive in sponsorship will go directly to the Hospice. I’ve already raised £1900 in sponsorship but I hope to raise £5000.”

Kate Heaps, Chief Executive at the Hospice, said: “We are really grateful to David for riding this challenge for the Hospice. It is amazing the things that people will do to show their thanks and support to the staff and volunteers. The money that David raises will help us to continue to provide quality care for people at the end of life.  £5000 funds the full monthly costs of running our day care services, which can support up to 360 patients each month. Good luck to David on succeeding with his target.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor David can do so by visiting his fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/davehemm

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice sponsored walk raises £20,000

More than 400 people have helped raise £20,000 for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, a charity that provides high quality care to local people at the end of their lives.

The fundraisers took part in a sponsored walk along the Green Chain Walk and the Thames Path on Monday (3 May).

Every person that took part in the walk was awarded a medal at the finish line.

Howard King, Fundraising Manager at the Hospice, said the event was well supported by all sections of the community in Greenwich and Bexley and is grateful for everyone's support: "We expect to raise over £20,000 from sponsorship," said Howard. "The money raised will help to provide specialist care and support to over 1,300 people with life-limiting illnesses a year, as well as their families and carers".

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Marathon runners are inspiration for others

TWENTY Marathon runners proved an inspiration to others in completing the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday (April 25) raising over £16,000 for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, a charity that provides high quality care to local people at the end of their lives.

One of those was Education and Practice Development Lead Nurse Deirdre Peters, who completed the Marathon in a personal best time of 5 hours and 1 minute.

Deirdre, aged 49, from Abbey Wood, said she decided to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice because of the excellent care it provides for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Three years ago the Hospice cared for her mum in the last days of her life.

“It was an absolutely fantastic day,” said Deirdre. “I really enjoyed it. I'm delighted to have achieved a personal best!”

Meanwhile, Catherine Collins and her friend Lara Catterall from London Bridge raised £9,462 and are confident they will go over £10,000. Catherine, from Hither Green, ran the Marathon in memory of her mum, who was cared for by the Hospice.

Catherine (30) said: “My mum knew that she would eventually die of cancer and was so relieved to know the Hospice would be there for her. She was treated with amazing care and kindness by the staff. My mum was able to spend her last few weeks at home but it was always so reassuring for us to know the Hospice was there if we needed it. In my mum’s last few weeks she asked me to run a Marathon for the Hospice. We used to watch the race together from Woolwich when I was a kid. Running the first 10 miles was great; I was running around areas I grew up in.”

Catherine completed the gruelling course in 3 hours 59 minutes and 12 seconds.

Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Heaps, said: “I’d like to thank all our runners for the time and dedication that they put into running the Marathon on behalf of the Hospice and helping to raise over £16,000. I am very proud, grateful and impressed with them all. The money they raised will help to provide specialist care and support to over 1,000 people with life-limiting illnesses a year, as well as their families and carers.”

RUNNERS who took part in the London Marathon on behalf of Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice: Rachael Sinclair, Sam Wright and Nicholas Cotton (Erith), Paul Thackaberry, Samantha Taylor, Toni Marie Roberts, Michael Creasey (Woolwich), Joseph Lok, Alan Wright (Welling), Stuart Roffey, Vince Porto (Bexleyheath), Mark Smedley, Deirdre Peters (Abbey Wood), Rita Karaliene (Blackheath), Andrew Inglis (Brixton), Catherine Collins (Hither Green), Lara Catterall (London Bridge), Ian Harvey (Belvedere), Dominic Tomlinson (Surrey) and Paul Knechtl.

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Spring Fair raises £1,300

A Spring Fair was held on 17 April to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice.

The event was held in the newly-refurbished day care area at the Abbey Wood-based Hospice and raised £1,300.

Over 200 supporters enjoyed browsing and purchasing from the numerous stalls which included plants, crafts, homemade cakes & preserves, gifts and collectable bargains.

The money raised at the Spring Fair will go towards the hospice’s work, helping to provide specialist care and support to over 1,000 people with life-limiting illnesses a year, as well as their families and carers.

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Lead Nurse to run Marathon

Education and Practice Development Lead Nurse Deirdre Peters is running the Virgin London Marathon this month to raise money for the charity she works for.

She is hoping to raise as much money as possible for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, a charity that provides high quality care to local people at the end of their lives.

Deirdre, aged 49, of Abbey Wood, said: “I am raising money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice because of the excellent care it provides for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Three years ago the hospice cared for my mum in the last days of her life for which I am eternally grateful.”

Deirdre, who took up the post of Education and Practice Development Lead Nurse at the Hospice last December, has worked in hospice care for most of her career as a nurse.  She is passionate about palliative care because she says there is so much that can be achieved in improving the quality of life of people with life limiting-illnesses.

Deirdre has run the London Marathon on three occasions and is training hard for the 26.2 mile London Marathon which takes place on April 25. Deirdre hopes to complete her run in less than five hours.

“I think the London Marathon is a brilliant event,” said Deirdre. “It’s the best sporting event I have ever been involved in.  I feel so inspired, by being part of a race where over 35,000 people are taking part, many in fancy dress, many with disabilities, all determined to keep going, with crowds of people cheering and encouraging you, the atmosphere is great - it’s so uplifting. In my opinion, the London Marathon is the best marathon in the world. It’s the only sports event where so many fun runners and complete beginners can take part alongside world class athletes.”

If you would like to sponsor Deirdre, visit www.justgiving.com/gbchdeirdrepeters

Carpenter sweeps through South London streets

20-year-old Niki Fitzgerald from Thamesmead ran 10 miles for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice (20 March).

Niki, an apprentice carpenter, ran through Woolwich, Charlton, Blackheath, Greenwich and Plumstead, to finish at the Hospice's main entrance in Abbey Wood.

"I wanted to do something positive for the Hospice," said Niki. "My brother passed away there a few years ago. I wanted to make a difference and put something back. I've raised £1,050 so far through pub and work sponsorship, which is great."

Next year, Niki plans to participate in the London Marathon and a daredevil parachute jump.

To make a donation, contact Julie Lawrie-Raison, Community Fundraiser at the Hospice on 020 8319 9234, email julielawrie-raison@gbch.org.uk .

WALK 2010: Who are you walking for?

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice's annual Sponsored Walk will be held on Bank Holiday Monday (3 May).

With three start points - Eltham Park South, Charlton Park and Bostall Heath, Abbey Wood (opposite the Hospice) and 15 routes, there really is a walk to suit everyone. Walkers can choose from three, five, seven, 10, or 15 mile routes that cover some of the most beautiful and unknown areas the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley can offer.

Walk 2010 gets underway at 10am on Bank Holiday Monday, 3 May.

It all takes place along the Green Chain Walk and the Thames Path with some amazing views to take in along the way. There will be hot and cold refreshments and everyone will receive a medal on completion of the walk.

Walkers will be able to discover many places of local interest including the Thames Barrier, Severndroog Castle, Lesnes Abbey, Oxleas Wood, Southmere Lake, Maryon Wilson Park, O2 Arena and the Cutty Sark.

Registration is easy. All you have to do is click the 'Sponsored Walk' graphic on the Hospice website www.cottagehospice.org.uk , fill in a form which you can get from 020 8319 9230 or pick one up from any one of the 14 charity shops or at Hospice Reception on Bostall Hill.

Howard King, Fundraising Manager, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, said: "We are aiming for 800 walkers to register before the event. It's free to take part if you are gaining sponsorship for the Hospice. Ask your friends and family to join you - and if they can't make it - ask them to sponsor you!"

The Abbey Wood-based Hospice relies on the support of the Greenwich and Bexley community. Walk 2010 and help Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice continue to provide its specialist care to Greenwich and Bexley residents who are suffering with a life limiting illness.

£252,257 boost for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

People nearing the end of their lives in Greenwich and Bexley will benefit from new equipment and better facilities, thanks to a £252,257 Department of Health grant.

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice is one of 123 hospices across the country to be awarded part of a £40 million fund to give better quality care, more dignity and more privacy to people nearing the end of their lives.

Kate Heaps, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Chief Executive, said: "It's fantastic news. The funding will allow us to focus on some really important environmental changes that will enhance the quality of the service that we provide, as well as improving safety and promoting dignity for people who are seriously ill. The changes will also improve the working environment for our amazing team of staff and volunteers, helping them to achieve the high
standard of patient care that our patients and their families and friends deserve."

The funding will be used for a variety of projects within the hospice in-patient unit to improve safety and patient dignity including purchase of fall prevention beds; installation of hand washbasins with sensor activated taps; en suite facilities in those rooms that currently do not have them; installation of bedside patient handsets to control lighting and heating and installation of four ceiling mounted hoists.

One patient's son and daughter, whose mother had a history of falls prior to admission at the Abbey Wood-based Hospice, said the special bed gave them peace of mind that their mother would be okay and to spend some much-needed time away to see their own families and deal with life's other issues. They felt very lucky that one of these beds was available for their mum.

To create an even more welcoming and peaceful environment and to further improve the patient and carer experience, selected patient areas will be refurbished; dedicated family facilities for overnight accommodation will be created and ablution facilities will be added to ensure that the Hospice environment is fully inclusive.

The funding was committed as part of the Department of Health's End of Life Care Strategy to provide high quality care for all adults approaching the end of their life, launched in July 2008. The projects will begin in April 2010 and will be completed by 31 March 2011.

Easter Eggstravagenza raises £5,000 for Hospice

3,000 people attended Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice's first major outdoor event of 2010, the annual Easter Fair, on Monday (5 April).

The event, which ran from 1.30pm - 4.30pm, raised over £5,000 for the Hospice.

Fun and games included a giant egg hunt, inflatables, roundabouts, stalls and the delights of children's entertainer, Dizzy Lolly,

Susan Adams, Community Fundraiser, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice, said: "The Easter Fair was our first major outdoor event of the year so we really wanted some good weather. We were lucky - it was dry and sunny, perfect for Easter egg hunts and outdoor activities. Thanks to everyone who supported it."

The afternoon was helped along by 60 volunteers who worked hard to prepare and supervise the numerous stalls in support of the Hospice.

 

New Chief Executive at Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice has appointed Kate Heaps as its new Chief Executive.

The Abbey Wood-based Hospice provides high quality specialist palliative care to local people suffering with life-limiting illnesses

With more than 3 years in her last position as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Care Services at the Hospice, Kate brings with her a wealth of experience from both the voluntary and statutory sectors in Trusts, Hospice and Health Authority settings.

She said: "I'm thrilled at my appointment. I'm looking forward to leading our fantastic team of hospice staff and volunteers; not only in maintaining the excellent care we already provide, but also with exciting developments planned for the future. We really want to reach out to the communities of
Greenwich and Bexley to ensure that the Hospice provides choice for people at the end of life, wherever they wish to be cared for; be it at home, in hospital or a care home, as well as offering the option of care in the Hospice itself."

Dr David Robson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Hospice, said: "I know I speak for all the Trustees in warmly welcoming Kate as our new Chief Executive. We are confident that her experience, vision and commitment make her the right person to lead the Hospice into the next stages of development and we wish her well."

Kate takes over from Jim Bennett, who recently stepped down after 4 years in the post.

Chief Executive to step down from Greenwich & Bexley
Cottage Hospice in February 2010

Jim Bennett, Chief Executive at Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice since 2006, is to step down from his position in February 2010.

After 16 years of dedicated service and commitment, the last 4 years as Chief Executive, Jim Bennett has decided to step down to pursue new opportunities and challenges.

Jim joined the Hospice team in 1993 as Fundraising Coordinator and progressed through the organisation as Appeals Director, Joint Chief Executive and as Chief Executive since June 2006.

Jim said: "It has been an incredible experience working for the Hospice and to lead its development over the years. I have enjoyed my work immensely and I am grateful to everyone who has made this possible. I will of course continue to support the Hospice in different ways in the future. Also I look forward with great enthusiasm to new opportunities and challenges."

Following Jim's announcement, Hospice Chairman David Robson said: "Jim will be a very hard act to follow and he will be sorely missed by the management, staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of the Hospice. Nevertheless, I am confident that the Hospice will continue to improve and grow its specialist end of life care services to the communities of Greenwich and Bexley."

"We thank Jim for his many years of dedicated service and wish him well. Thanks to Jim and his hard working team, Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice is extremely well-placed to continue to provide the outstanding services that it offers its local community. We look forward to continuing our work in what will be a new phase in our development," concluded David.

During the coming days and weeks, the Trustee's of the Hospice will be working closely with Jim and the Senior Management Team to ensure a smooth handover of his responsibilities, both for the interim period and for the longer term.

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