St Barnabas Hospice given £500 by Horncastle Freemasons’ Lodge
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Anyone registered with a GP anywhere in Lincolnshire can access services offered by St Barnabas Hospice – a fact not widely known, according to Caroline Swindin, the Hospice Fundraising Development Manager.
It was just one of the facts shared when she delivered a ‘mythbusting’ talk to Freemasons of the Bicentenary Lodge of Installed Masters at Horncastle, when members were pleased to give her a cheque for £500 to help sustain the service, which has been running for 40 years in the county.
Amongst the myths Caroline clarified were that:
- The Hospice isn’t just one building, but a number in locations throughout Lincolnshire;
- Hospice service can be delivered in individual’s own homes – which is anywhere they may be living, including care homes and even HM Prisons;
- There’s no charge for Hospice services;
- There’s no means test to filter who can and can’t have Hospice care; it’s available for everyone;
- Families of patients are cared for too;
- Anyone 18 years old or over can be helped by the Hospice;
- Bereavement support is available for anyone struggling to come to terms with a loss for whatever reason (call 0300 303 1897; Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm)
- Patients and families can refer themselves to the Hospice for help (call 0300 020 0694);
- The Hospice tries to eliminate money worries by helping those under its care with welfare claims
- Anyone can help the Hospice by buying items from its shops around the county;
- 77p in every pound donated is spent directly on care and support; the remaining 23p is spent on generating future income;
- Anyone can tick items off a bucket list. Want to wing walk? Want to abseil down the inside of Lincoln Cathedral? The Hospice might be able to facilitate things like those in return for sponsorship;
- Small donations help too, even just a jar of pennies will help to covering costs, such as the £14.85 that delivers a hour’s ‘hospice at home’ care;
- and finally, it’s not just a place for the terminally ill to die; its a bright and happy place offering support to those who need it, often for years
Said Caroline: “It’s important for people to know that support is available for anyone 18 years old and over anywhere in Lincolnshire. We offer care and support for as many people as possible.”
Giving that care has got tougher during the pandemic, when fundraising activities were heavily curtailed – just as was the case for all charities. Whilst the charity income streams have declined, they haven’t been lost completely, but raising the necessary funds is still far from easy.
Lincolnshire Freemasonry is doing what it can to sustain the work of the whole Hospice movement. The latest donation of £500 from the Bicentenary Lodge for St Barnabas contributed to the £48,000 Freemasonry has given over the years.
We shall also be supporting the next public art trail, due to launch in June next year, when we’ve committed to be one of five Presenting Partners; principal sponsors of an event building on the Knights, Barons, and Imps trails in Lincoln. Next year will see a series of hearts not just in Lincoln, but also around the whole county, emphasising that the Hospice offers care throughout it.
Find out more on the Hospice web site here: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk
