LOROS Hospice has given a warm welcome to the Chancellor’s announcement of a cash injection for hospices but said that the impact of the pandemic is likely to be ‘significant and long term’ for the charity.
Following the introduction of social distancing measures, LOROS moved to protect and safeguard its inpatient ward, curtailing clinics, day therapy and of course cancelling fundraising events and shutting its 29 shops.
As a result the impact of the pandemic has been significant to the charity, with an estimated funding shortfall of more than £1m over the next few months.
John Knight, Chief Executive Officer said, “The Government announcement made this afternoon of funding for hospices on the frontline fight against COVID-19 is great news. We have been devastated by the drop in our income and it is a very real threat to our future.
“We are taking advantage of all Government support available to us and this additional injection of cash via Hospice UK is very welcome.
“However we are acutely aware that the dent in our income is not short term and it is naïve to think that by the autumn everything will return to normal. Just as this virus is impacting on our daily lives, it is changing how our hospice can operate in the long term.
“This year we will be celebrating LOROS’ 35th year of providing specialist end of life care and support for patients and their families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We are determined to continue to do this for many more years to come.
“Now more than ever, we are calling on our fantastic supporters from the community to raise the vital funds we need to provide our amazing care for patients and their families.”
There are still a number of ways people can support LOROS. Its annual Twilight Walk, a 10k walk around Leicester city has been reimagined as the Twi-Night In, an online night in broadcast via Facebook. Supporters can still play the lottery and buy ‘spring into summer’ raffle tickets on line and via post and LOROS’ on-line eBay shop is busier than ever, offering items that people need whilst they ‘stay at home’ including jigsaws, linen and clothes. Supporters can also sign up to Amazon Smile and support LOROS whilst they are shopping.
