Strathcarron Hospice has been on the frontline during the pandemic both caring or people with Covid but also continuing to care for people dying from other conditions. We know more people have been dying and there has also been a shift in where people have been dying. More have been dying at home or in care homes, both of which our nurses support. 

The effect of Covid is going to be felt for years to come and, as with every other charity, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on fundraising income with every single event cancelled. Yet the need for the care we provide is only going to increase. 

During these last few months the public has done a tremendous effort of fundraising for the NHS. We have all witnessed the wonderful challenges people have taken on in support of this. All very commendable but the problem is no independent hospice, such as Strathcarron, is part of the NHS and will receive no funding at all from this effort. It's a challenge we never anticipated, effectively being in competition with the NHS in terms of fundraising. There's only so much money around for people to donate.

As we approach the 40th anniversary of Strathcarron Hospice next year we ask you to remember we are an independent charity relying on public support to the tune of £90,300 every week to continue providing specialist palliative care, making every moment count for patients and families.