Be a Star and Support Your Hospice This Christmas
St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the return of its annual Christmas appeal, Be a Star, for 2024.
On average every Christmas, the hospice provides vital care to more than 1,300 people living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses and their families across East & Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, for many of whom it will be their last Christmas spent together.
Through Be a Star, the independent Suffolk charity is encouraging the community to support the hospice during this very special time of year and help staff ensure patients and families can have the Christmas they deserve.
Pauline Donkin, Head of Fundraising at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Each year, we support patients and their families throughout the Christmas season, helping them make the most of this special time.
“Our care is provided at our Inpatient Unit in Ipswich, at Beccles Hospital, and in homes across East & Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney. Wherever there is a need, we are there to support.
“By supporting our Be a Star appeal, you can make a meaningful impact for those in your local community who need our care when it matters most this Christmas time.”
From purchasing items such as Christmas cards, from St Elizabeth Hospice shops or online store, to taking part fundraising events like the Christmas Day Dip and Santa Dash run or volunteering time to help the hospice as part of a New Year’s resolution.
There are a number of ways to take part in the Be a Star appeal and each one makes a vital contribution to supporting the hospice in making Christmas time a special time for those under its care this year.
One person who knows the importance of St Elizabeth Hospice’s support at Christmas, is Keeley Gooderham, whose mum, Nicola, received support from the charity until her death, aged 51-years-old, on Christmas Day 2022.
“We felt there was no better place, than the hospice, for her to die surrounded by her loved ones and to say ‘goodbye’.
“With Mum’s death, Christmas now has a new meaning for us, as well as new traditions. We still come together as a family to mark Christmas Day, but in 2023 I took part in my first fundraising Christmas Day Dip for St Elizabeth Hospice, at Felixstowe seafront.
“I enjoyed it so much that I plan to do this every year and will be doing the dip again this year with a few of my family and friends.”
Find out how to support the Be a Star appeal by visiting www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/be-a-star/be-a-star-appeal or call 01473 723600.
