Myton Hospice launches £240k fundraiser as demand in Coventry and Warwickshire grows

Myton Hospice building in Coventry
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The Myton Hospice has launched an urgent appeal to raise £240,000 to ensure more people in Coventry and Warwickshire can access a hospice bed. The appeal has been launched due to a high demand and costs rocketing at an 'all-time high'.

According to the Warwickshire hospice, more people need a hospice bed now more than ever, as demand for inpatient units has increased by 11% in the last year. Currently, three out of five people on their waiting list for a hospice bed die before they can access one.

The charity says that the £240,000 could fund the training, recruitment, and salary for five registered nurses for a year to ensure more people in the region can access a bed and reduce the number of people on the waiting list.

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Myton said they are the only inpatient hospice for the whole of Coventry and Warwickshire, with demand 'growing' and often have 'long waiting lists'. In an appeal video shared on Myton Hospice's Facebook page, chief executive Ruth Freeman, said: "We do what we can, but we're not the NHS. We're a charity and a very small team, and we often struggle to keep the maximum number of beds open and that makes us very sad.

"And that's why I'm asking you to help us raise £240,000 to help us recruit, train, and support five more registered nurses and help us reach out to more people and be there for them when they need us the most."

36-year-old Janine Coles has terminal cancer and regularly visits the hospice in Leamington Spa for pain management sessions, but she is worried there won't be a bed for her when the time comes. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "This is where I want to be at the end of my life. I don't want to be at home, I don't want to be in a hospital bed. I would want to be here feeling a bit more comfortable."

Tom Cronin, a Myton supporter spoke about his experience following the death of his wife Katie. He told the BBC: "In these situations, nothing you can do can ever make it better and the best outcome is to never need Myton.

"But Myton truly is the best place to be for everyone and I can’t imagine anywhere else doing a better job. The incredible doctors, nurses, volunteers, and everyone involved took some of the pressure and angst out of the situation."

For more information about Myton Hospice, visit the official website. To donate towards the urgent appeal to raise £240,000, visit the website or follow their Facebook page.

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