Northampton Cynthia Spencer Hospice urges community to support its 45th birthday fundraiser

The Cynthia Spencer Hospice is celebrating 45 years of providing care and support to patients and families throughout Northamptonshire this year.

The hospice, situated on Kettering Road in Northampton, aims to fundraise as much money as possible to compensate for money lost through cancelled events and closed shops during the coronavirus pandemic. To do this, they need the support of the community.

Matron of Cynthia Spencer Hospice's inpatient unit, Sarah Knaggs, said: "“It makes me immensely proud to lead our current inpatient unit nursing team and reflect back on 45 years of Cynthia Spencer care.

"The teams that came before us have paved the way for how we deliver our care now. Each patient is treated with a holistic, individualised approach and our care envelopes their families too, so they feel supported.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone in our community who supports the hospice with donations, volunteering and fundraising, particularly during these difficult times. You all make such a huge difference and we couldn’t provide the care we do without your help - but we need your ongoing support in order to ensure that our hospice can still here in another 45 years."

The anniversary falls in May but the hospice plans to celebrate its role in the community throughout the year. Skydiving, abseiling, tea parties, cake sales, runs and cycle rides - there are many ways members of the public can show Cynthia Spencer Hospice their support.

Their services include a delivering end of life care in their inpatient unit, managing symptoms, offering respite care and supporting patients following terminal diagnoses. Their carers help to provide patients and families with specific guidance for things like fatigue management and gentle exercise so patients can remain as active as possible.

Cynthia Spencer Hospice additionally cares for patients, who wish to remain in their own homes, through its Hospice at Home and clinical nurse specialist teams.

Patron of the hospice, Lord Spencer, also shared his thoughts on this momentous milestone for the organisation named after his grandmother. He said: “Forty-five years is certainly an anniversary to be celebrated and I congratulate everyone who has worked - and still works - at Cynthia Spencer. I think it must be a wonderful team to be part of as they must feel, every day, the value of their work.

“I’ve heard many times from people that they as family have had so much understanding and support from the hospice at the most difficult of times. I think it’s important for people to realise

how vital their work is. It really does mean an enormous amount to people when they are at their most vulnerable.”

More information on all of Cynthia Spencer Hospice's birthday fundraising activities can be found on their website.