The whole Strathcarron Team wishes all readers a safe and peaceful Christmas.

This year has been like no other in our lifetimes and, as with everyone else, it has been incredibly challenging. It goes against the grain of specialist palliative care to restrict visiting families into the Hospice to spend precious time with their loved ones. The wearing of PPE has also been restricting as it makes communication far more impersonal and it’s something the staff have found challenging at times. We are, of course, delighted our front line staff will amongst those first to receive the vaccine and we can only hope we can get back to caring for people in the way we love to do. Patients and families have had to make enormous sacrifices this year and we extend our thanks to everyone who was going through a hard time with patience and dignity.

Funding has been difficult this year with every single Fundraising event cancelled. However, the public we rely so heavily upon, has risen to the challenge with some incredible efforts. The Stand With Strathcarron appeal which launched just as lockdown came upon us has raised an astounding £360, 737.71 with 5,350 donating towards this. At the beginning of December we organised a virtual Santa and Elf dash to raise £12,900 to pay for Christmas Day at the Hospice. Santas and Elves were seen running around the local area and together, raised over £60,000. Some were even further afield in Australia and USA. After a hard year it was truly humbling for us to see the efforts people go to to support your local Hospice.

Funding has been difficult this year with every single Fundraising event cancelled. However, the public we rely so heavily upon, has risen to the challenge with some incredible efforts. The Stand With Strathcarron appeal which launched just as lockdown came upon us has raised an astounding £360, 737.71 with 5,350 donating towards this. At the beginning of December we organised a virtual Santa and Elf dash to raise £12,900 to pay for Christmas Day at the Hospice. Santas and Elves were seen running around the local area and together, raised over £60,000. Some were even further afield in Australia and USA. After a hard year it was truly humbling for us to see the efforts people go to to support your local Hospice.