Our meeting this morning was
enlivened by a visit from four Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Bodmin
in Cornwall. The group was starting off on a busy day. Having
overnighted in Cardiff, they came to breakfast with us before setting
off to have lunch with the Rotary Club of Bristol Clifton, and then
flying to Dublin for an evening meeting with the Rotary Club of Dublin
Central, so visiting three countries in one day.
We also
learned much from our speaker, Rachel Southgate, the Community
Fundraising Officer from the City Hospice (formerly the George Thomas
Hospice). She explained why there had been a change of name - the
hospice now serves the whole of Cardiff - and explained the range of
services they provide for people who are terminally ill and their
families. These are now largely home-based. She explained how the scope of palliative care reaches far
beyond just medical issues, including such things as social, financial
and family matters. Needing nearly £2 million every year, only about
one-third is funded and the rest has to be raised from donations and
events and their shops. 300 volunteers are involved in every aspect of
the hospice's activities.
Our meeting was
chaired by President Michael Brooke, who is seen with the party from
Bodmin, and exchanging banners with Vice President Peter Old.