Considerate colleagues at a Letchworth company have brought some Christmas cheer to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice by creating ‘Bags of Kindness’.
Staff members at construction and interior fit-out specialist Willmott Dixon have put together thoughtful bags of pampering items for families whose loved ones are being cared for by the hospice this Christmas. The bags include cosy socks, toiletries such as shower gel, and festive sweet treats.
Colleagues from the company’s People Team have also been fundraising for the Moggerhanger hospice during 2021. To date, they have raised £1,150 to help ensure the hospice can continue to provide its compassionate care for people with life-limiting conditions and support their loved ones.
The staff members have raised the money through activities including a spooky pumpkin carving competition. Four of them are also taking part in Sue Ryder’s December Daily Dash, a festive challenge to run, walk or jog 5k every day this month.
Danielle Bilcock, Recruitment Coordinator at Willmott Dixon, said: “I was inspired to support Sue Ryder, as Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger cared for my grandad in his final days. They were so kind and supportive to him and my family. Ever since then I have wanted to give something back to them.
“The Willmott Dixon Group People Team selected Sue Ryder again in 2021 as the charity they would like to support. We took part in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge, we completed a pumpkin carving competition and donated 17 Bags of Kindness to the hospice. Four of the team have also signed up for this year’s December Daily Dash – they have raised £826 as a team so far – and are working hard to increase that!”
Joanne Landucci, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to everyone at Willmott Dixon for your on-going support of our hospice. At Sue Ryder we believe that the end of someone’s life is the most important time of their life. Our care teams do all they can to make room for the things that matter to a patient – like spending time with loved ones, sharing stories, jokes and memories, and filling their final days with love. The Bags of Kindness are an incredibly thoughtful gesture for families who are going through a difficult time this Christmas. Thank you also for the funds you have raised this year, which will help us to continue to provide care to local families when they need us the most.”
With figures showing every 4.5 minutes someone in the UK dies without the specialist end of life care they need, national healthcare charity Sue Ryder, which runs Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire, is asking people to back an appeal to help them be there for more families when it matters.
Donations to the appeal will enable Sue Ryder to deliver the expert and compassionate palliative care they are so well known for. Helping to manage symptoms as well as give advice on the practicalities, so that patients and their families can place their focus on filling their final days together with love.
For more information and to donate visit: sueryder.org/careatchristmas.
