Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown has donated over £4,200 to fund furniture and equipment at the Macmillan Unit hospice in Christchurch.
Haskins staff member Beverley Stark-Halliwell nominated the hospice for a grant from the Haskins Charitable Fund after her husband Phil received end of life care at the Unit.
The £4,254.95 donation has been used to buy furniture for our two counselling rooms, which are used by the Patient and Family Support Team in the support of patients, bereaved families, and children.
The money has also funded oak dining furniture for the patient lounge, a jigsaw table for patients and visitors, and some new kitchen equipment.
The Haskins Charitable Fund was set up in 2018 to benefit charities and community projects local to its four garden centres across the south, through personal nominations from its staff.
Bev said: “Having experienced first-hand the extraordinary care and comfort provided at the Macmillan Unit during the most difficult of times, this hospice holds a very special place in my heart.
“Being able to give something back and help transform these shared spaces into warm, welcoming environments means the world to me. My hope is that these refreshed areas offer a sense of peace and respite for future patients and their families when they need it most.”
The Macmillan Unit provides specialist palliative care and a range of support services to 1600 patients living with life-limiting conditions, and their families, each year.
Patient and Family Support Team Leader Lucy Short, said: “The difference that the grant from Haskins has made to our clients has been significant.
“Being able to offer an environment that feels warm, welcoming, and safe has been incredibly valuable. The comfortable seating and modern furniture have transformed our therapy spaces from uninspiring and clinical, to an oasis of calm. The feedback from our patients and their relatives has been hugely positive – we cannot thank Haskins enough.”
Picture caption:
From left: Bev Stark-Halliwell, Neal Williams, Trust Secretary for Macmillan Caring Locally, the charity which funds the Macmillan Unit, and Jamie Haskins (Haskins Charitable Fund).
