Charity Factsheet:
St Luke’s Hospice
St Luke’s Hospice serves the Basildon and Thurrock Local Authority areas in South Essex covering a population of over 350,000 including the towns of Basildon, Billericay, Tilbury, Wickford & Grays.
St. Luke’s is a non-profit making charity and services are available free to all patients living in the area who are terminally ill and are in need of pain / symptom control, respite and final care. The majority of patients have cancer, though care also extends to those suffering with other life threatening or life limiting illnesses; including Multiple Sclerosis, Motor neuron disease, Muscular Dystrophy and HIV/Aids.
The Hospice strives to provide a warm, loving and caring environment where the emphasis is on quality care, which meets the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients, their families and friends. As well as providing In-patient care the Hospice also has a Day Care Unit for up to 50 patients each week as well as Hospice at Home service (where patients are cared for in their own homes), Bereavement Support, Children’s Bereavement Counselling, Carers Support and Sitting Service. During the past year (2004) over 3,500 people were supported by St. Luke’s through these services.
Patients are cared for regardless of their age, background, personal or financial circumstances. As a registered charity the Hospice has to raise more than two thirds of the annual running costs, which is currently budgeted to be £1,400,000 for this current year.
Some two thirds of St. Luke’s running costs are self funded through various means including ‘overseas challenges’. To date the hospice has organised successful treks to China, Peru, and Nepal with over 74 people taking part.
St. Luke’s started as a community project and is still sustained today by the community it serves. If it were not for the generosity and support of local businesses, clubs and individuals the Hospice would not be able to continue to provide a much needed service.
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