West Essex Hospices Appeal Donates £58,000 to Saint Francis Hospice

Saint Francis Hospice is celebrating the ongoing support of the West Essex Hospices Appeal (WEHA), whose generosity continues to make a meaningful difference to local people in need of palliative and end-of-life care services.

Phillip Walker, Chairman of West Essex Hospices Appeal, visited the hospice in Havering-atte-Bower on Tuesday 12^th May alongside fellow trustee Chris Hicks to present new wellbeing resources for people under the care of the hospice, loved ones and visitors, highlighting the charity’s continued commitment to enhancing care beyond financial support.

Since 1989, the West Essex Hospices Appeal has donated an incredible £58,000 to Saint Francis Hospice through regular contributions. Their unwavering generosity has made a profound difference to families facing hardship, enabling, our Family and Individual Support Service team to provide immediate and compassionate support to people living with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones. This includes assistance with travel costs, essential food supplies and children’s clothing, and eases the financial and emotional pressures families often face during their most difficult times of their lives. Most importantly, this support has allowed families to focus on what truly matters, spending precious time together, creating memories, and finding comfort and dignity during challenging moments.

Alongside this continued financial support, WEHA is now supporting a new wellbeing initiative in partnership with Get Started Art, designed to benefit hospice patients, families, visitors and children across West Essex.

As part of this initiative, mindfulness colouring books are being introduced into communal areas to offer calming, creative moments that support emotional wellbeing for both people and their loved ones. Colouring pencils are also being provided to ensure the books can be used immediately.

In addition, WEHA donated specialised bereavement books for children, The Caterpillar and the Butterfly – A Story About Change, gently helping young people understand grief, loss and bereavement.

“We are incredibly thankful to the West Essex Hospices Appeal for their ongoing support,” said Shahina Haque, Family & Individual Support Services Manager at Saint Francis Hospice.

“Their contribution to our hardship fund enables us to provide urgent practical help to individuals under our care and their loved ones when they need it most, ensuring people receive care, dignity and compassion during challenging times.

“Partnerships like this remind loved ones that they are not alone. The kindness of West Essex Hospices Appeal reaches far beyond a donation, it changes lives.”