The ‘Alan Hudson DTC Appeal’ to the local community has now been launched on JustGiving to help raise £50,000.
Over £225,000 has been pledged for building works and equipment, by The Hudson Foundation – who are the primary donor – with generous contributions from the Friends of Wisbech Hospitals and the Robert Hall Trust.
Now, the people of Wisbech and the Fens are being asked to join the campaign to help raise the final £50,000 required for this next chapter in the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre’s history.
The Treatment Centre - an Arthur Rank Hospice Service - in Wisbech, which received generous donations from The Hudson Foundation when it was first set up in 1998, celebrates its 20th birthday on 15th June.
The team provides essential care and services to residents in the Fens who are living with a life-limiting illness, such as:
• lung disease
• motor neurone disease,
• multiple sclerosis,
• cancer and
• heart failure amongst
• other conditions.
Care is delivered five days a week and includes:
• day therapy
• treatment and clinical days (including haematology, oncology and symptom management)
• complementary and diversional therapies
• bereavement and
• support services.
Additionally, the Centre provides a Hospice at Home service and gives clinical advice and support to people receiving palliative care on the adjacent Trafford Ward.
As with all Arthur Rank Hospice services, the Treatment Centre is funded partly by statutory sources, with the larger proportion raised thanks to the whole-heartened efforts of the local fundraising community. No charge is made to patients for care.
Whilst the Treatment Centre’s highly qualified staff and dedicated volunteer team continue to provide an outstanding care service from their base in North Cambs Hospital - as recognised by the ‘Care Quality Commission’ in a recent inspection - the service has outgrown its building and facilities. Essential redevelopment and expansion works must take place, if the service is to accommodate the growing volume and needs of people who require its treatment and care.
Building plans reveal how the Treatment Centre hopes to expand into adjacent vacant rooms, transforming them into purpose-built spaces where the team can continue to deliver their high standard of care.
Patients will benefit from:
• refurbished consultation
• support and treatment rooms,
• dedicated therapy and activity rooms,
• a sensory garden and
• additional space to accommodate Hospice at Home staff.
More details about the plans are available at arhc.org.uk/Alan-Hudson-DTC-Appeal.asp
Michelle Knight – Matron at the Day Centre – explains how critical the public’s support will be for this final push: “We are so grateful that The Hudson Foundation – who have provided funding throughout our history – have once again recognised the needs of the local community and are supporting us as we move forward into this next chapter in the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre’s future. Together with their support, and that of the Friends of Wisbech Hospital and the Robert Hall Trust, we have been able to start planning how to turn our dream of upgrading our tired facilities, into a reality".
“It’s essential that we raise the last £50,000 so we can start these long over-due improvements in September and extend the services we provide. The plans have been designed with our patients in mind: the impact for each of them - as we treat and support them at the most difficult time of their life - will be huge. We hope that the close-knit community in Wisbech, the Fens and the surrounding area will get behind us and spread the word – so that we can make this project happen.”
Lindsay, a patient who’s been attending the Day Treatment Centre for eight months, comments: “The staff here are so supportive in so many ways. I just can’t imagine not coming, I really can’t. It’s turned my life round and I’d love to think that in the future, it’s going to do that for a lot of other people as well.”
To support the Alan Hudson DTC Appeal visit Just Giving and search for ‘Alan Hudson DTC Appeal’. Alternatively, you can donate by texting ALAN20 (plus the amount you wish to donate eg ALAN20 £10) to 70070 or send a cheque made payable to ‘Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre (ARHC)’ to Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, The Park, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 3AB or call 01945 488052 to give a donation over the phone.
Join the conversation and help spread the word that further donations and support are needed on social media using #AlanHudsonDTCAppeal on Twitter (@ArthurRankHouse), or Facebook (facebook.com/ArthurRankHospiceCharity) or if you’d like to talk about the project further, please contact Project Development Officer, Phillippa Ashcroft on 07766 733062 or phillippa.ashcroft@arhc.org.uk.
See and hear more about the care the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre provides, from staff and patients on Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/T3Vr2H4Yv0U and about the plans to transform the outdoor space at https://youtu.be/w0LWkHvmysE.