From charity bake sales and head shaves to desert treks and skydives, you have pulled out all the stops to help us reach our target, as MARION SAUVEBOIS reports

WE did it! And it is all thanks to your generous donations and commitment to supporting patients in their final moments in Swindon.

Many thought we were mad when we launched the 160 Appeal in February to mark our 160th anniversary, urging readers to hop on board and help to raise £160,000 for Prospect Hospice.

But from the get-go donations poured in at an impressive rate and did not slow up for the next 11 months, allowing us to fulfill our pledge.

From charity bake sales, pub quizzes, bike rides, fun days and skydives to head shaves, marathons and daunting treks, readers truly moved heaven and earth for the hospice, with some collecting as much as £4,000, £8,000 and even £23,000 for the appeal.

“This is just wonderful,” said Adver editor, Gary Lawrence.

“When we set our target we were not certain it would be achievable; so to be able to raise £160,000 in less than a year is absolutely amazing.

“From the start our readers have rallied around us. Big or small, everybody’s kind donations have kept us going and coming up with new ways to raise money over the past 11 months.

“The Prospect steps in to help when families are experiencing the worst days of their lives and somehow manages to brighten them with its kindness and care.

“You only need to spend a few moments at the hospice in Wroughton and the atmosphere of positivity is obvious.

“Our appeal aimed not only to raise £160,000, which will make a significant difference to many people who turn to the Prospect for help, but to highlight all of the services it operates.

“Prospect isn’t just somewhere for people to end their days with dignity and respect. It is a vibrant, caring organisation which reaches far out into the community, with a vast array of support for those stricken with illness and the families and friends around them.

“The campaign also allowed us to put the spotlight on the hospice’s supporters, who often remain in the shadows. This included the Adver staff who signed up to skydives, bike rides, races, dance competitions and more to boost the appeal. Their achievements, as well as those of the hospice, deserved to be celebrated and we are extremely proud to have played a part in promoting their fundraising efforts.”

Prospect, which was founded in 1980, needs to secure £5.8 million each year to care for the people of Swindon and North Wiltshire.

Yet it receives less than 30 per cent of its income from statutory bodies such as the NHS to support a community of around 300,000 people – some living as far afield as Gloucestershire.

Over the past five years a larger proportion of the community has been referred to the charity following a life-threatening diagnosis and been assisted by Prospect nurses at any hour of the day and night.

In 2012-13, staff treated and supported 1,995 people, not merely at the hospice itself but in their own homes, care homes and at the Great Western Hospital.

The Wroughton hospice may be a place patients with life-limiting illnesses choose to spend their final days, but for most of them it is a warm, caring haven and the promise of much-needed comfort and hope.

Prospect chief executive Angela Jordan said: “Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to Gary and the team at the Swindon Advertiser for all that they have done to help reach this incredible target this year. “Their commitment to raising the profile of Prospect Hospice, and highlighting just some of the incredible support that we are shown by our community, has made this possible.

“We are very appreciative for all their hard work during 2014.

“Additionally, I must thank the people of the community and readers of the Swindon Advertiser for their commitment to our appeal throughout the year, and for all the creative, energetic and thoughtful ways in which they have contributed towards this remarkable appeal.

“We are, as always, very grateful for their generosity. On behalf of all the patients and families we help, and also the staff and volunteers at Prospect Hospice, I would like to offer our sincere thanks. We could not have achieved this without you.”

£160,000 will pay for...

  •  approximately 500 overnight stays in the hospice’s in-patient unit; that is 12 days at a time for 43 patients.
  • 6,400 hours of support of the 24-hour Prospect@Home service.
  • counselling and support for 2,000 family members after the loss of a loved one or during their ongoing illness.