August Newsletter

Dear reader,

Welcome to the first edition of The Birmingham Hospice Link, our new monthly newsletter which shines a light on how our corporate friends can support us and forge even stronger bonds. We'll also be highlighting how to get involved in helping our work and sharing all the fantastic fundraising and volunteering done by Birmingham's brilliant business community.

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Business leaders called onto test their mettle and raise money for the hospice

BIRMINGHAM’s business leaders are being urged to face their greatest fears and help raise vital funds for high quality end of life care by signing up to Birmingham Hospice’s brand-new event, I’m a CEO…Get Me Out of Here!

We’re calling on CEOs, managers and bosses to step out of the boardroom and into a world of wilderness trials and creepy crawlies on Wednesday, 20 November at Escape Live in Birmingham.

‘Campmates’ will work with each other for three trials to win stars for their team and at the end of the event, one person will be crowned King or Queen.

First, contenders will have to work with their fellow CEOs to work out the mystery to find their way out of the Escape Room.

The second trial will see the contestants survive handling some creepy crawlies, before ending the event with a mystery third trial that may involve chowing down on some sickly snacks. ?

Luke Manley, Corporate Fundraising Manager, said: “We are a thrilled to invite managers, bosses, CEO’s and colleague to join in our new fundraising event inspired by the hit TV show!

“This event not only promises a day of networking, fun and adventure but also plays a crucial role in supporting Birmingham Hospice. Those participating will help us continue providing vital care, while they enjoy an unforgettable experience.

“I would highly recommend signing up, having a blast, and making every moment matter for Birmingham Hospice!”

Throughout the day, the businesspeople brave enough to test their mettle will be looked after by Birmingham Hospice’s own version of Ant and Dec.

‘Campmates’ will be given a ‘Survivors Pack’ which contains snacks, a water bottle, goodies and ‘camp clothing’. Plus, we will provide a delicious lunch and you’ll have the chance to network with your fellow CEOs.

Whether you’re a CEO, manager, team-leader or colleague, we’d love for you to join us on Wednesday 20 November at Escape Live in Birmingham.

There is no registration fee, but we’re asking participants to raise a minimum of?￡500?each to support our patients and their families. You can set up your JustGiving page?here.

Just ￡525 could pay for 24 hours of nursing support in our Inpatient Units, offering specialist care from our team of medical experts.

Join us for a day of fun and facing your fears by taking part in our brand-new event I’m a CEO… Get Me Out of Here!

Sign up now

Birmingham Hospice launches Crisis Appeal

BIRMINGHAM Hospice has launched a Crisis Appeal to raise urgently needed money to continue funding its expert, special and free services.

We provide palliative and end of life care free of charge to local communities, whether that’s in patients’ own homes, in the community or at its Selly Park or Erdington sites.

Like many hospices across the country, we’ve been impacted by the cost-of-living. The last few years have seen big increases in its costs, including the price paid for energy, food and drugs – and the funding it receives from the government has not risen at the same rate. As a consequence, the charity is being forced to reduce its number of inpatient beds and cut the equivalent of 45 full-time roles – around 14% of its overall workforce.

Birmingham Hospice will continue to campaign for fair funding for hospices locally and nationally but, in the absence of any additional support, is not able to delay these difficult decisions any longer.

“There is a growing need for palliative and end of life care and the NHS is unable to meet the huge demands on its beds. Most people do not want to die in hospital and hospices provide outstanding services that support people to die in a place of their choosing.”

Simon Fuller, CEO of Birmingham Hospice, said: “The prospect of having to make highly skilled specialist end of life clinicians and support staff redundant is totally unpalatable. We are doing everything we can to support all our hospice colleagues through this difficult time.

“Birmingham Hospice has been working with Hospice UK and other hospices nationally to seek support to address the financial challenges across the sector. The problem has been discussed in Parliament; but the current administration has passed the problem to local commissioners who have not been able to provide additional funding. Reducing hospice services is bad for the people of Birmingham, the health care system, and those who will be affected by the proposed redundancies.

“There is a growing need for palliative and end of life care and the NHS is unable to meet the huge demands on its beds. Most people do not want to die in hospital and hospices provide outstanding services that support people to die in a place of their choosing.”

Birmingham Hospice would like to thank our incredible corporate partners for their continued support. Without your help, the hospice would not be able to provide the care, comfort, choice and dignity local people with life-limiting illnesses deserve.

More than ever, the charity needs your help, so if you are able to raise much-needed funds, provide volunteers or spread the word of the hospice’s good work, please contact [email protected].

Find out more about the Birmingham Hospice Crisis Appeal on our website.

Peak success for fearless Fitzgerald staff

A huge thankyou to long-term friends of Birmingham Hospice, Fitzgerald Contractors Limited, who raised ￡4,941.65 by successfully tackling the National Three Peaks Challenge.

Enthusiastic staff crossed the mighty mountains Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in a 24-hour period this summer, walking 23 miles and ascending a daunting 10,052 feet.

They had been set to take on the mighty challenge in 2020, when the money was raised, but the event had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

The money raised will help go towards funding high quality end of life support, which focuses on providing dignity, choice, comfort and care.

If your company could support our services and raise vital funds we’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected], or visit ?our corporate fundraising page.

Vicky shares hospice experience at Above and Beyond Club

AFTER experiencing the amazing palliative care provided by Birmingham Hospice first-hand, Above and Beyond Club (ABC) member Vicky Hadley encouraged businesses to join the group and help support our work. ?

At a recent meeting, Vicky shared with fellow members how husband, Mark, was cared for by Birmingham Hospice staff after he was diagnosed with cancer aged 30.

The ABC is a new and exclusive members club, which is open to local businesses and industry professionals who are passionate about supporting the hospice’s mission to enable more people from all communities to access the care of their choice at the end of life. ??

Vicky said: "Mark and I were typical childhood sweethearts. We fell in love when I was just 14, we got engaged in our 20s and bought our first home together. Everything was perfect.

“Then we were told he had incurable bowel cancer and peritoneal disease, and that he would live for less than a year. It was the worst day of my life.”

Vicky shared how the nurses were not only there for Mark, but for her as well: “Our nurse would visit Mark at home as his cancer progressed. She provided Mark with the expert medical care he needed, but what I’ll always be truly grateful for is her understanding.

“She was a supportive hand, helping to guide us through this heart-breaking journey. When he knew he didn’t have much time left, Mark asked to go into the hospice where he peacefully died, surrounded by those he loved, four weeks later."

?The club will meet next on Monday, October 21 at the Leonardo Hotel in Birmingham. To reserve your space, please email [email protected].?

Volunteering Round-up

WE wouldn’t be able to deliver the high standard of care for people with life-limiting illnesses without our wonderful and tireless volunteers, who donate their precious time and energy.

A huge thank you to the hard-working Community Champions and teams at the Asda stores in Perry Barr, Queslett, Small Heath and Minworth.

Over the years, our friends at Asda have not only volunteered at multiple events but have also kindly supported us with regular refreshment donations, including bottled water, hundreds of chocolates, boxes of cereal bars and thousands of teabags. Thank you for your incredible support!

We’d also like to extend our gratitude to members of the wonderful The West Brom team, who gave their time to do some gardening at our Erdington site. They tackled a mammoth bush which was located right outside several of our patients' rooms. The team worked tirelessly, making much-needed space and allowing light into our patients' rooms.

If your company would like to get involved in supporting our hospice, giving back to our community and making our patients' days, please get in touch on 0121 465 2009.