CHARITY trekkers have completed a five-day hike through the Jordanian desert to raise funds for a city-based hospice. A group of 16 fundraisers braved rocky desert terrain and thunder storms along ancient Bedouin migration paths to reach the world-famous archaeological site, and historic city, Petra. In doing so the team of Worcestershire trekkers raised £48,975 for St Richard’s Hospice, after costs.  Sofia Gunster, Events and Community Fundraising Lead, was part of the group who flew to Jordan to take on the challenge for local hospice care: “It really was the most incredible experience ..read more

Tanya’s story Over the decades St Richard’s has cared for many thousands of people, and that care is always remembered. Ten years on, Tanya still vividly remembers how the hospice team cared for her dad Ivor, 56, from Worcester and supported their family. “The care, smiles, warmth and happiness that the staff gave made the experience of being in St Richard’s more settling.  Not only did we feel this but I could see my dad felt this too. “The staff were always on hand, attentive, not only took time to spend with my dad but us as a family. I knew my dad was in good hands and the staff show ..read more

CELEBRATIONS for the 40th anniversary of a city-based hospice raised thousands for its care of patients and families. St Richard’s Hospice’s Grand Gala Dinner took place in the Nave at Worcester Cathedral and raised, after costs, £40,000 – and counting – for the charity. The glittering event was hosted by Louise Hewett, a Patron of St Richard’s, and saw 207 guests attend on the night. The event also marked the end of Louise’s tenure as High Sheriff of Worcestershire. Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Director at St Richard’s, said: “It was an incredible evening filled with so much joy and celebration ..read more

CHARITY trekkers will depart this weekend for a five-day hike through the Jordanian desert to raise funds for a Worcester-based hospice. On Sunday, March 17, a group of 16 fundraisers will fly to Jordan to embark on their trek to the world-famous archaeological site, and historic city – Petra. At the same time, a team of six will embark on a virtual version of the challenge in Wales, taking on an eight-day, 136-mile walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. The Worcestershire trekkers are raising funds for St Richard’s Hospice, with their collective fundraising total currently at £39,363, aft ..read more

CUSTOMERS will soon be able to bag a bargain at a hospice’s clearance shop in Barnards Green, Malvern.  St Richard’s Hospice is reinventing its premises at 1B Court Road, Barnards Green, into its first clearance shop which will open on Tuesday, April 2 at 9.30am.  The shop will stock clothing, accessories, toys, books and bric-a-brac which have not sold at its 17 shops across Worcestershire.  Items will be on sale for reduced prices of £5 and under. The lowest-priced items will be available to buy individually or in a bundle of 10 for £5.  Dan Corns, Commercial Director at ..read more

This year marks a milestone for St Richard’s Hospice which is celebrating 40 years of offering free, expert specialist care and support to patients, their families and bereaved people in Worcestershire. From very small beginnings, the vision to set up a hospice in south Worcestershire became a reality in 1984. Since the hospice began, St Richard’s has received more than 73,000 referrals for people to access their services for patients, their loved ones, carers and the bereaved. There are now 256 staff and 790 volunteers who make St Richard’s what it is today. Chair of Trustees, Jenny Cowpe sai ..read more

HUNDREDS turned out to help illuminate the night sky at a hospice charity’s sixth annual memory walk near Worcester last weekend. St Richard’s Hospice’s sold-out Lantern Walk saw more than 400 people walk a 1.5-mile route around the National Trust’s Croome Court at dusk on Saturday, February 10. Carrying glowing lanterns, participants walked to remember their loved ones, while raising £7,438, after costs, for St Richard’s Hospice. Sofia Gunster, Events and Community Fundraising Lead at St Richard’s, organised the Lantern Walk. She said: “We had a beautiful evening remembering our loved ones an ..read more

A HOSPICE has entered the final stage of a major upgrade to its in-patient facilities. The first of 17 newly refurbished light and airy patient bedrooms – with the very best technology and equipment to support complex illnesses – are already in use at St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester, with the project set to complete this spring. The improvement work is also creating two Jacuzzi spa suites and enhanced ensuite showering facilities.  Two new, cosy family rooms will enable patients and loved ones to spend quality time together, offering a sense of normality away from a bedside. St Richard ..read more

A SMILE was drawn in the sky this afternoon (Friday, 26 January) especially for a patient being cared for at St Richard’s Hospice. Aerobatic pilot Rich Goodwin created the sky-high spectacle for patient Ray Stanton, 66, an aeroplane enthusiast and former transportation engineer. Ray, who lives in Worcester, enjoyed the show with his wife, Angela Stanton, and two children Sophie-Rae Byrne and Matthew Stanton. “To see the smile in the sky and then look at Ray’s smile was just fantastic,” said Angela. “I haven’t seen him smile for a while. The care here is above and beyond anything.” Ray, who ha ..read more

MORE than £50,000 has been raised for a city-based hospice this month through its ‘best ever’ Christmas tree recycling campaign. The annual St Richard’s Hospice Christmas Tree Collection saw more than 185 volunteers split into 84 teams to collect and recycle more than 2,560 trees from 15 postcode areas in Worcestershire. The campaign total of £50,183, after costs, is the highest since the hospice began running the scheme eight years ago. Ria Simons, Corporate Fundraising Lead at St Richard’s, said: “This campaign has gone from strength to strength and I’m blown away to see this year’s record ..read more