Irene McKie - Update from Strathcarron Hospice - Thursday 4 November 2021 @ 18.00 @ Westlands or 19.15 for 19.30 on Zoom

Irene McKie - Update from Strathcarron Hospice - Thursday 4 November 2021 @ 18.00 @ Westlands or 19.15 for 19.30 on Zoom

STRATHCARRON AM-AM CHEQUE

Since 1985, in recognition of the extraordinary contribution that Strathcarron Hospice makes in providing specialist care, love and support to those with terminal illness, the Club has held an annual Am-Am golf competition at the Dunblane New Golf Club. The proceeds from those events have gone to support Strathcarron’s specialised work.  Over that period, the Club has raised a sum approaching £475,000. On Thursday, President Russell Wheater expressed his pleasure in being able to present a cheque for £23,411, the proceeds of this year’s competition, to Irene McKie, the Chief Executive Officer of Strathcarron.

Expressing her grateful thanks for this contribution, Irene said that a sum as generous as this gives a significant boost to the funding of the Hospice.  But no less importantly, it provides important moral support for staff.  She also added her thanks to members for the £20,000 grant the Club had obtained from Rotary Foundation in 2019. That, she said, had been a very difficult period for the Hospice; the money from the grant had enabled the Hospice to source and fund vital PPE equipment. 

Irene reflected on the extraordinary uncertainties the Hospice has had to face since the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020.  Inevitably, there had been significant consequences, with fundamental changes introduced to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This had meant a reduction of as much as 50 per cent in the numbers of residential patients, and an inability to provide daycare places. Bereavement care had also suffered.  However, it has been possible to ensure a degree of support through contact by phone, and community nurse specialists are now able to visit those at home.  

Irene reported that there has been a huge drop in the proceeds from fundraising, with events and collecting tins having to be abandoned and the Hospice shop closing.  As a consequence, some staff had to be furloughed.  There has, however,  been some welcome help from government, but financial reserves have been significantly reduced.  However, on the bright side, donations have increased, with a number of individual donations exceeding £500. 

There are some signs of things gradually returning to a degree of normality, with some relaxation in visiting, and a prospect of the shop re-opening.  The recent visit of HRH Princess Anne had also been an important boost to morale.

Kenneth Murray thanked Irene for her update and assured her of the Club’s continuing support. He also thanked Lesley Blair, Chair of Dunblane New Golf Club, for the Club’s generosity in making the course available for the Am-Am.