It was a special evening for Arthur Rank Hospice on Wednesday 28 September as staff members, volunteers, Trustees, the Mayor of Cambridge and partner organisations gathered at The Moller Centre to celebrate the Charity’s seminal developments over the last twelve months.
The Celebration Evening took place just weeks before the Charity moves to Shelford Bottom from their current site on Mill Road in Cambridge. CEO Lynn Morgan, Deputy CEO and Director of Clinical Services Liz Webb and Day Therapy team lead Ann Thomson spoke of the astounding achievements of the last twelve months, the fondness with which the current site will be remembered and the future opportunities and challenges which will be embraced as the organisation moves to its new state-of-the-art home. £1.6 million has been raised exclusively for the new hospice during the twelve month period being celebrated, whilst the Charity has continued to organise and support the plethora of community, corporate and challenge events required to secure the £2 million required annually which supplements the NHS contribution to keep funding the additional services provided by the hospice on a daily basis.
Donna Talbot, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “Having been chosen as The Moller Centre Charity of the year in June this year, we were delighted to host our annual celebration event in their impressive facilities and that the Mayor of Cambridge Cllr Jeremy Benstead and so many of our very dedicated staff and volunteers were able to join us. It was a wonderful opportunity to take stock of our achievements: the very visible progress of our new hospice facility; the excellent fundraising events we have organised; the sterling support of the local community who have hosted all kinds of fundraisers attended by all manner of people; but most of all how this culminates in allowing us to deliver the best care and services possible.”
The evening welcomed 100 guests who enjoyed arrival drinks and an array of delicious canapes in the Moller Centre’s stunning Tower Lounge Bar, before taking a seat in the Lecture Theatre for a screening of ‘Team Arthur’, which the Charity recently produced in partnership with Somersault Video Productions. A second video, created by Dr Catherine Elliott, Lecturer and Film & Television Course Leader at Anglia University, and designed to showcase and recruit volunteers was then premiered, before sixteen - of the fifty Hospice’s volunteers recognised for long service this year - were presented with their awards by the Mayor.
Rosemary Hall, who was recognised for thirty years’ service at the Hospice and who regularly serves afternoon teas on the Inpatient Unit, helps on the Tea Bar and supports the Hospice’s weekend Memorial Services, comments: “I’ve done lots of volunteering roles and I’ve really loved every minute, especially on the Tea Bar: I love helping people and it’s a focal point, especially at the weekends – if visitors are stressed or upset you can get them calmed down and give them a cup of tea. I will be sad that we’re moving but it’ll be nice that there will be more facilities in the new hospice, so more people can benefit from our care. I want to still carry on volunteering because it’s what I love.”
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to their staff, their 375 volunteers and each and every person who has helped by raising funds or supporting their initiatives in this and previous years. Liz Webb, Deputy CEO and Director of Clinical Services at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, concludes: “We are very much looking forward to moving to our new home, where those we care for will receive the excellent care for which we are well known, in facilities which have been specifically designed for their needs. The word TEAM at Arthur Rank Hospice in my mind stands for: team, enthusiasm, amazing work and motivation; qualities which become apparent very quickly once individuals come into contact with our care and services. I have no doubt this spirit will transfer from Mill Road to Shelford Bottom through our staff, volunteers and supporters as we embark on this next chapter in Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s history.”