Local charity Hospiscare has been providing care for people in Honiton with terminal illness for more than 25 years. In April, it launched its ‘Ease the Pain’ appeal to raise £3.5 million – its current annual running costs – by next April.
However, during the first three months the appeal raised £650,000 - falling more than £200,000 short of its target for the first quarter of the year.
Glynis Atherton, Chief Executive of Hospiscare, said: “We have had tremendous support for our fundraising events and our supporters and fundraisers are more dedicated than ever.
“However, overall, the Ease the Pain appeal needs to raise £3.5 million this year, and at the moment we are not meeting this target, due to a fall in the number of legacies we have received, possibly as a result of the economic downturn.
“We are definitely concerned for the future of our services. We would urge as many people as possible to support their local hospice during these difficult times. Any donation, large or small will help us to meet our target and continue to care for our patients and their families,” she said.
Hospiscare’s three clinical nurse specialists provide dedicated nursing care for people with terminal illness, and giving dedicated and individual support, advice, care and compassion when people need it most.
In addition, the charity also has day centres where patients can enjoy activities, complementary therapies, and can meet other patients and health professionals, and a 12 bed in-patient unit.
Anyone can support the Ease the Pain appeal and help Hospiscare ease the pain of terminal illness by calling 01392 688020 to make a credit card donation, by sending donations to Hospiscare, Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5JJ, or visiting www.hospiscare.co.uk
