St Clare Hospice has announced the triumphant success of its recent Christmas fundraising drive, which has smashed its target to secure the future of a crucial overnight care service.
Community Generosity Secures Vital Night Care
The hospice's festive campaign aimed to raise £75,000 to fund its night-sitting service for the entirety of 2026. Thanks to an outpouring of support from the local community, that target has not just been met but surpassed. This remarkable achievement means the charity can now cover the cost of 365 nights of specialist care for families across its catchment area.
This service provides expert and compassionate overnight support from trained healthcare assistants. They stay at the bedside of patients being cared for at home, allowing exhausted family members to get some much-needed rest. For those caring for a loved one at the end of their life, this respite can be life-changing, alleviating the immense physical and emotional strain of providing round-the-clock care.
A Privilege to Provide Comfort
Pauline, one of St Clare's experienced night-sitters who featured in the campaign, shared what the role means to her. "It is such a privilege to sit with someone in their final days and give their family the chance to rest," she said.
"Sometimes I hold a hand, sometimes I listen and sometimes I simply sit quietly so they’re not alone. Knowing the community has funded a whole year of nighttime care means so many other families will have the comfort that truly makes a difference during people’s most difficult moments."
Ensuring Care for the Future
The funds raised are critical because St Clare Hospice, which serves West Essex and the borders of eastern Hertfordshire, receives limited NHS funding. The organisation must raise nearly £17,000 every single day to deliver all of its care services. By fully covering the annual cost of the night-sitting service, the Christmas campaign directly ensures that people in the region receive the comfort, dignity, and specialist care they deserve when it is needed most.
Sarah Thompson, St Clare Hospice CEO, expressed profound gratitude. "Reaching this £75,000 target means we can continue to be there for families through the night, offering skilled care and compassion when it is most needed," she stated.
"None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of the people who fundraise for us. It is their kindness, commitment and belief in our work that ensures St Clare can be there for our community - not just today, but into the future. We are enormously grateful to every single person who donated."
The hospice has encouraged continued support to maintain its services in 2026 and beyond. For more information on its work or for ideas on how to help, you can visit the official website at stclarehospice.org.uk.
