Hartlepool's Alice House Hospice issues SOS after losing £15,000 every week during lockdown - here's how you can help

A charity is losing £15,000 a week in takings after having to close all of its shops because of the coronavirus.
The Alice House Hospice shop in Horden which is one of the charity's nine shops to shut during the coronavirus.The Alice House Hospice shop in Horden which is one of the charity's nine shops to shut during the coronavirus.
The Alice House Hospice shop in Horden which is one of the charity's nine shops to shut during the coronavirus.

But officials at Alice House Hospice say the public could play a huge part in helping it continue to provide vital services.

It urged people to make donations and to also hold on to items they planned to donate to the hospice’s shops – because they will be much-needed when the shops do open up again.

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The Wells Avenue-based hospice in cares for hundreds of people throughout Hartlepool and East Durham each year, but it needs to fundraise £3 million annually to keep its doors open to all that need it.

Alice House Hospice in Wells Avenue. Picture by Frank Reid.Alice House Hospice in Wells Avenue. Picture by Frank Reid.
Alice House Hospice in Wells Avenue. Picture by Frank Reid.

One of its main income sources has been taken away as its nine charity shops have had to close during the lockdown.

Alice House Hospice has charity shops in Blackhall, Peterlee and Horden as well as in Raby Road, Catcote Road, Middlegate, Northgate and the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.

They would normally be open six days a week and bosses have praised the ‘herculean feat’ that is carried out by the volunteers, shoppers and stock donors.

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Between them, they raise £700,000 a year but chief executive Tracy Woodall explained why everything had changed.

Tracy Woodall.Tracy Woodall.
Tracy Woodall.

She said: “2020 was to be one of our best years yet, with a 40th anniversary and Year of the Nurse to celebrate.

“But then sadly the Coronvirus pandemic broke out. To protect the public, and hospice volunteers, the decision was made to close all nine hospice shops. This is resulting in an incredible loss of approximately £15,000 a week.

“This money was vital in making sure that for those who need hospice and end of life care during this pandemic that they can continue to get it. We need your help to make sure this will still happen.”

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She urged the public: “Any donation that you are able to give will make a difference. Any item of clothing, piece of furniture, books, toys or bric a brac that you are able to hold onto until our shops are open again, will make a difference.

“Together, our community will make a difference so that Alice House Hospice will be there for those who need hospice care for the next 40 years.”

Alice House Hospice is a registered charity offering specialist palliative care, counselling and support to hundreds of adults from Hartlepool and East Durham each year.

Those accessing hospice services can be living with a variety of illnesses including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Motor Neurone Disease, end stage heart disease and Parkinson’s.

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Each person, along with their family and carers, will receive tailor-made packages to meet their physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological and cultural needs in an atmosphere of comfort and dignity.

Yet despite the cost of continuing to provide services, the hospice receives less than 20% government funding. The outstanding £2.8 million must be raised through the local community and other fundraising initiatives.

To find out more about the hospice, visit https://www.alicehousehospice.co.uk.

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