TWO TV celebrities supported St. Wilfrid’s Hospice recently in a hunt to find the best scone recipe, ahead of a vital week of fundraising.
Reverend Richard Coles, made famous as a member of the 80s pop band The Communards, but more recently, he appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Bake Off. Richard recently moved to East Dean and has been regularly spotted at local events since moving to the area.
Richard has supported the hospice in a number of ways over the years. In 2022, he took part in the Lights of Love campaign, dedicating a star on the tree to his late partner David. In 2023, he hosted an evening event at All Saints Chapel in Eastbourne where he talked about the importance of inclusion in Hospice care.
Richard was invited to judge the ‘Best Scone Recipe’ alongside Antique Roads Trip presenter James Braxton, who is also a Sussex resident and published author.
Friends and supporters of the Hospice were invited to bake their unique scone recipes for the competition which was judged by the pair at the Hospice in Broadwater Way recently. The six shortlisted finalists took their creations in to be judged by Richard, James and St. Wilfrid’s Catering Manager, Mikey.
Scone Day was part of Wilf Week – the annual fundraising and awareness-raising week for St. Wilfrid’s.
The Reverend, Richard Coles said: “Great end-of-life care is fundamental, since St. Wilfrid’s Hospice, like many, is facing a financial crisis. Inflation and cost of living pressures are leading to calls for greater government funding to plug the Gap.
Everyone at the hospice here do such an amazing job and the centre is an incredible place to visit as its full of love and warmth.
Judging the scone competition was a delight for and there were so many tasty entries. As I appeared on Celebrity Bake Off, people assume I am a great cook. However, I did cook some scones this morning prior to this event, but I ruined them, so they ended up in the bin.”
In common with other hospices, St. Wilfrid’s saw costs rise by 14% last year, while its government grant increased by less than 2%, leaving a deficit to fill through increased fundraising, which must continue if it is to continue to fund services.
Hospices play an essential role in easing the physical and emotional pain of death and dying, by providing compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.
However, many across the UK, including those in Sussex, are facing a severe funding crisis—the worst they’ve experienced in more than 20 years.
In spite of their vitally needed services, many hospices are now struggling to stay afloat because of underfunding and rising costs. Approximately 90% of them across the UK are operating on a budget deficit, meaning they will need to dip into dwindling reserves to sustain their level of care.
In Sussex, hospices rely heavily on donations. Around 80 per cent of their funding comes from charitable sources – people’s generous giving, rather than from the government. This leaves them vulnerable, especially in the face of increasing demand for palliative care services.
Kathy Sambrook, a spokesperson for Friends of Sussex Hospices. said: “Funding has not kept pace with rising costs, Increased staff and energy costs, together with a drop in legacy giving, has meant that many are finding it harder than ever to meet the needs of dying patients.”
The financial difficulties faced by hospices in Sussex are having a tangible impact. Reduced resources mean that hospices are struggling to offer the level of care for which they are known.
St Catherine’s Hospice at Pease Pottage, announced last month that it would be reducing its community service and laying off members of its highly skilled nursing team – some of whom have delivered expert end-of-life care for many years. Earlier this year, Martlets Hospice in Hove merged with St Barnabas, based in Worthing, so it could continue delivering care and support to its community.
Whilst there is some positive news in that the Sussex Hospice Alliance and the NHS have entered an agreement to work as a partnership in key areas of end-of-life care, there is a growing risk that more hospices across the UK will have to reduce services, close beds, or, in some cases, shut down entirely.
Recent hospice closures have included St Clare’s Hospice in Jarrow, near Newcastle, which had served its community for 30 years; Peace Hospice Care in Watford, which closed its in-patient unit due to low staffing levels; Birmingham Hospice which closed one-third of its in-patient beds and laid off 45 staff; and St Raphael’s Hospice in Cheam, which closed its Hospice at Home service.
For patients and their families, this means fewer options for high-quality, dignified end-of-life care. The situation also places increased pressure on NHS hospitals, which may not have the capacity or specialised resources to provide the same level of palliative care as hospices.
Colin Twomey concluded: “It costs over £21,000 a day to provide our care and support services across our catchment area, but less than 30% of this comes from the NHS. We count on the community to help us with the rest, meaning that every donation makes a difference to the support we can offer patients and their families.”
