My experiences in early March have really demonstrated the value of teamwork in making sure that the Hospice is there for everyone who needs our care. Granted, we had some pretty challenging circumstances at the start of the month, but despite snow, ice and freezing cold, our shop managers all rallied together to ensure that as many of our charity shops could open as possible to raise vital funds for Hospice care. Of course, I knew our dedicated nurses would ensure they made it to the Hospice to care for people in the beds here or to the hospital to support the Drs and Nurses at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich, and our intrepid community team would make it to see people at home if they needed it or to keep in contact by phone, making sure everyone was safe. And whilst all of social media were out there rightly ‘bigging up’ NHS staff, there was little mention for everyone else who works to keep the health and care system going. Care Home staff, home carers, catering staff, cleaners and maintenance teams, all working to keep those people who need a bit of extra help safe in the freezing cold.
Meanwhile I was part of another team, running alongside Denise, Manager of our Vintage Shop in Welling, Abbie, a Health Care Assistant from the Hospice, Megan, one of community fundraising team and supported by Jane our events fundraiser, we were spurred on by all those other Hospice runners and supporters who also took part in the first ever London Big Half. Our relay team worked together to get to the finish line, despite many of us not being quite up to it a few weeks ago, but events like these really show the power of the larger community team that keep your hospice going. So thank you to everyone, who ran, helped in training, supported and sponsored our runners, to help make sure the Hospice is there for people in future winters!