January Newsletter

Hello friends of St. Michael's Hospice,

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024! As you can see, we've kicked the New Year off with a brand new look!

At St. Michael’s, we know this time of year can be very challenging and as we settle into 2024, some of us will be missing loved ones, perhaps for the first time. Please remember you are not alone. The Hospice will always be here to support the community thorough the most difficult of times, whenever we are needed.

It will come as no surprise to you that we have a very busy year planned. Within this newsletter, you will see details of our first event of the year: Get Moving in March Virtual Challenge and our Be a Leap Year Hero appeal. We encourage you to stay tuned to our newsletter, website, and social media for more details about this event and all the other ways you can get involved to support your local Hospice in 2024.

Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity and kindness make it possible for St. Michael's to continue caring for our local community.??

Best Regards,

Iain Cameron? Chief Executive?

We are very excited to share our refreshed look! Since opening our Hospice doors in 1992, we have maintained the same brand and logo. As with many things, a lot has changed over the past 32 years and our Hospice is no exception. We are delighted to share our modernised brand, marking a significant milestone in our Hospice's continuous progression.

The refreshed brand reflects our commitment to innovation, growth, and dedication to providing care and support when it's needed most. Through an extensive process of internal reflection and market analysis, we have reimagined our visual identity, messaging, and overall brand strategy to resonate more deeply with our patients and community.

One of the most noticeable updates is to our logo. The new logo is a modern evolution of our original Hospice Snow Goose. The Snow Goose, our chosen emblem, is often seen to be a symbol of protection, bravery and loyalty. In the wild, they fly in family units and if one falls behind or lands, the others will accompany it to ensure it’s safe and never left behind. We believe the Snow Goose embodies our unwavering dedication to be there for our patients and their families, providing care and support when they need it most. That is why we also made the decision to include a second goose to fly along side them.

Step up to the challenge and Get Moving in March!

Whether you stroll, run, or roll, get involved and aim for 9,000 steps a day – just like our amazing, dedicated nurses who average 9,000 steps per shift while caring for patients and supporting their families. Show your support while you walk to work, with your dog, or alongside mates.

How to sign up:?

1. Join our Get Moving in March Facebook Group
2. Complete the online registration form to create your fundraiser (you’ll need to do this to receive your FREE dog bandana & fundraising pack!)
3. Stroll, run or roll 9,000 steps throughout March
4. Get social & share - tell your everyone about your virtual challenge and ask for their support.
5. Feel good!

Whether you go solo or team up with family, friends, or colleagues, your support ensures we can continue provide care and support when families need it most.

Be a Leap Year hero and help us to hit that ￡14,000 target by Thursday 29 February. With February having an extra day this year, will you be a Leap Year hero and help us pay for an extra day of vital care?

There is more than one way to support:?

• We have set up a Just Giving community page where donations can be made quick and easily. The amount you donate is your choice, and no matter what you give, it will make a huge difference.
• Share our Just Giving page with your friends and family to help spread the word!
• Set up your own Just Giving page and share this with your friends on social media to encourage others to give.
• Share your experience with St Michael’s and tell others about what we mean to you.
• Give yourself a February Challenge! Set up your own Just Giving page and get your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you.
• Can you give up something for February? An iced coffee or a weekly takeaway? Why not save those pennies and donate it to our Just Giving Page?

With every donation and each pound that is given to us, we get one step closer to reaching the ￡14,000 goal and will help fund the Hospice for an additional day. No matter how you choose to support us this coming month, please know that we are extremely grateful for your continued support; and with your generosity we can continue to provide the specialist care our patients and their families need.