Be a Star for Your Hospice this Christmas
St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the return of its annual Christmas appeal, Be a Star, for 2025.
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, it will be their last Christmas spent together.
Through its Be a Star appeal, the independent Suffolk charity is encouraging the community to support the hospice this Christmas and help staff ensure patients and families can share precious moments together.
Ellie Main, Associate Director of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement, said: “Every Christmas, we support patients and their families to make precious memories during the festive period.
“Our care is delivered at our Inpatient Units in Ipswich and at Beccles Hospital, and in people’s homes across East and Mid-Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney – wherever and whenever it’s needed.
“By supporting our Be a Star appeal, you’ll help make a difference for local people who need our care when it matters most this Christmas.”
From purchasing Christmas cards in St Elizabeth Hospice shops or via the online store, to joining festive fundraising events such as the Christmas Day Dip and Santa Dash, or even volunteering time as a New Year’s resolution, there are many ways to take part in Be a Star.
Every action helps ensure the hospice can make the festive season a special time for those in its care.
One person who knows the importance of St Elizabeth Hospice’s care at Christmas is lifelong Ipswich Town Football Club fan Charlie Clarke, whose wife, Wendy, received support from the charity during Christmas 2023.
“St Elizabeth Hospice’s care was beyond our expectations. It was exactly what we needed at the time,” explained Charlie.
“Wendy received support on the Inpatient Unit over Christmas, which became a very special time for us as we understood it would likely be our last Christmas together.
“With the hospice’s help, our church choir were able to visit Wendy and perform a carol service for us in the hospice conservatory. The nurses also decorated the ward with festive decorations and handed out presents to patients.
“On Christmas Day, they gave us a proper Christmas meal and our two best friends were able to join us for lunch, where we exchanged gifts. It was such a lovely thing for the hospice to do.
“The hospice’s services are so important all year-round, but even more so during the festive period when being together family and loved ones is something we all cherish.
“By supporting the hospice’s Be a Star appeal, you will be helping people in your local community be together this Christmas with the support of St Elizabeth Hospice.”
