DONATIONS made to St Helena Hospice were doubled thanks to three generous families and one company.

People giving a gift to the charity until December 3 saw them matched up to a total of £40,000, meaning £80,000 could be raised by Giving Tuesday to provide essential hospice and bereavement care to people at St Helena Hospice. 

Thanks to the generous donations, the total was reached, however, any further donations to St Helena Hospice will be gratefully received at their usual value to support local people.

Julie Warmington spent her 46th birthday earlier this month at the Hospice, where she had been staying to manage her symptoms of stage 4 stomach cancer.

Julie sadly died last week but she praised the care of St Helena Hospice: “I wasn't too sure what to expect because when I was told that they really thought they'd have to bring me into the Hospice to get my situation under control, I couldn't help but be a little bit concerned.

“But I've learned how much the Hospice team gives. When I got here, it really just took all those fears away because it's such a beautiful place and it's so well run and has the most lovely staff.

“I don't know whether all hospices are the same, but this one gets my vote, 100%.”

Jo Clarke, fundraising manager at St Helena Hospice, said: “We’re deeply grateful to the three families and our partners at Total Clean who have pledged to match donations, so, for example, this week your £22 gift will fund not one, but two hours of essential nursing care.

“The children of Rosemary and Mark Thompson from Colchester have pledged to give joy in their parents’ honour, just like volunteering with St Helena for 25 years gave Rosemary joy, and just like her husband gave too by supporting hospice care for decades to give joy to others.

“The Rev Susan Wiggins from Clacton has pledged to give peace and dignity in memory of her husband Alan, because the nurses at the Hospice saw him as a human being beyond his diagnosis.

“The family of a patient who was able to remain independent and at home with support from our rehabilitation professionals and complementary therapists, has pledged to give relief and comfort by matching your donations.

“Our partners at Total Clean have pledged to give comfort to those who need it most this Christmas."

Visit www.sthelena.org.uk/give to make a donation to St Helena Hospice.