Highland Hospice facing estimated £750,000 loss in income due to the coronavirus lockdown
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Highland Hospice faces a funding shortfall after having to close its 13 shops, two cafés and the Ness Islands Railway in Inverness.
The hospice, which cares for terminally people and their families, has also cancelled face-to-face fundraising activities until the end of June, plus other events beyond that, and is braced for a drop-off in support in the longer term as individuals and companies whose income is impacted by the lockdown reduce their charitable giving.
But the charity, which has based the estimated loss on a four-month lockdown, is optimistic of making up some lost income and stressed it was maintaining its in-patient service.
It is also being innovative to deliver other services and introducing new activities, including a volunteer programme launched in conjunction with Highland Home Carers.
The hospice’s head of fundraising, Andrew Leaver, admitted the potential funding loss was initially “scary”.
He said: “It is a massive gap. I have been connected to the hospice for over 30 years and I have never seen anything like it.”
But he believes by being innovative and turning to more online fundraising, it is possible to make up between one-third and one-half of the figure.
A big boost is set to come from a challenge being carried out by pensioner Margaret Payne (90) who is climbing the stairs at her Sutherland home to the equivalent height of Suilven for the NHS and the hospice. At the time of going to press, her fundraising total stood at £392,000.
“The way so many people have taken her to their hearts is fantastic,” Mr Leaver said.
Other fundraisers include an online auction which has raised £5000, a non-stop 24-hour walk by city-based adventurer Calum Maclean at his home and a virtual Wear Yellow Day on May 29. Inverness businessman Iain McGilvray has also run a marathon in his garden,
Mr Leaver said: “I have been extremely impressed by the speed at which our fundraising team has adapted to this new environment and I’m proud of their innovative approach.
“I’m also humbled by the donations, large and small, which come to the hospice every day from supporters, many of whom will be facing their own challenges at this difficult time.”
Two new services have also been introduced in direct response to the coronavirus crisis.
With fewer people available to provide crucial at-home care to the most vulnerable, the hospice has teamed up with Highland Home Carers to establish a community volunteer programme offering social support with daily catch-ups made in person or over the phone.
Mr Leaver explained: “Volunteers might also be able to help with other tasks such as shopping or collecting prescriptions, and will also have the option to assist around their house where it is safe to do so and in compliance with current health guidelines.
“These simple gestures can make a big difference to the lives of the most vulnerable.”
Highland Home Carers boss Campbell Mair welcomed the link-up.
He said: “As the largest provider of care at home in the Highlands, we are facing the possibility of a major fall in staff numbers and significant resultant impact on our vulnerable service users.
“As an employee-owned company we share many values with Highland Hospice and this partnership allows the two organisations to continue to support our community during this moment of crisis.”
The hospice, which is a hub for an online tele-mentoring network, Project Echo, has also been able to support NHS Highland by hosting Covid-19 sessions on the system and enabling healthcare professionals to share vital skills and experiences.
More than 300 GPs and frontline staff have signed up to take part, giving them the opportunity to engage with specialist speakers including lead consultants from the Covid-19 team at Raigmore Hospital.
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