St Ann’s offers something that can’t be bought. In the time of greatest need they offer kindness and support, and its those things that make a massive difference to families. It’s like a light in the darkest of hours. As time passes and the immediate pain of loss fades, I know that my family look back and are comforted with the knowledge that our loved one was given the very best of care at the toughest time. That in itself is an invaluable gift. Well done St Ann’s on the 40th Anniversary and here’s to many many more years.Dianne Oxberry

All quotations are used with permission.

Today the Stockport Express is launching a campaign to help St Ann’s Hospice raise £120,000. We want readers to help us raise the money over the next year to pay for an in-patient bed at the Heald Green hospice.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

2011 is the year of the Royal Wedding, but closer to home there is an even more remarkable reason to celebrate. St Ann’s Hospice was opened in 1971 by the Queen Mother, and four decades on they are still here caring for the people of Greater Manchester with life limiting illnesses, and their families.

It’s easy to forget just how long forty years is. Forty years ago there was no Internet, no mobile phones and no CDs. Incredibly, forty years ago, there were almost no hospices in the UK. But forty years on, St Ann’s Hospice are proud to announce their fortieth anniversary. To celebrate we are launching this special anniversary appeal, “Cover the cost of caring“ where we’re urging you, the people of Stockport, to get behind your local charity and help to fund the running cost for a year of one inpatient bed for St Ann’s Hospice.

“It costs £120,000 to fund just one of our inpatient beds for a year,“ says Jayne Bessant, chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice, “but that cost accounts for so much. It pays for the team of dedicated care professionals, for catering, housekeeping, the vital clinical tools, supplies, equipment and support services. These are needed each day to ensure that every patient who uses this bed gets the high level of care they deserve, whilst also supporting their families and carers. It is this, every part of this, which St Ann’s Hospice is proud to deliver.”

St Ann’s Hospice’s variety of services is just one of its many accomplishments. The Hospice now has three sites, Little Hulton, Heald Green and the Neil Cliffe Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, so patients can receive care from an initial diagnosis, right through to end of life care. Whether they’re receiving care at home, as an inpatient or outpatient, there are a surprising range of facilities that the Hospice provides, including their own on-site hairdresser. It’s hard to imagine that as an independent local charity, all their care is provided free of charge, but it is.

“We are so grateful to the Stockport Express for launching this appeal in our 40^th anniversary year. It has been a difficult couple of years over the economic downturn, but by knowing we can at least fund one bed for a year will enable us to plan better care and continue to make a difference to those who need it,“ says Jayne.

It’s an achievement of which not just the Hospice, but all of Greater Manchester should be proud of. That’s because their services have always depended on the support of people like you - only a third of St Ann’s income comes from the NHS. It’s awful to think that one day you or I may need them, but we need to make sure we don’t take for granted that this amazing facility will still be there, right on our doorsteps.

What will the next forty years hold? Perhaps the iPod will be the Betamax of tomorrow, or all newspapers will be read on computer screens. But one thing’s for sure: with your help, St Ann’s Hospice can be there if you or your family needs them.

Donate to the Cover the cost of caring appeal online at www.sah.org.uk/stockport, by calling St Ann’s Hospice’s fundraising department on 0161 498 3630, by supporting one of our events, or by donating £5* by texting ‘STANNS’ to 70777 *plus your standard network rate. At least 87% will go to St Ann’s Hospice. Alternatively, please send a cheque or postal order (payable to St Ann’s Hospice) to St Ann’s Hospice, St Ann’s Road North, Heald Green, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 3SZ. Please write on the reverse of your cheque STOCKPORT EXPRESS.

To read the Stockport Express article please click on the link to the right of this page.