MAYOR'S CHARITIES 2006/07
75% of money raised will go to BUTTERWICK HOSPICE CARE (OUT OF HOURS SERVICE)
25% of money raised will go to THE MARY THOMPSON FUND
The Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees Councillor Suzanne Fletcher MBE says "Please give generously!"
BUTTERWICK HOSPICE CARE OUT OF HOURS SERVICE
A review of palliative care within the North Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) locality identified a gap in community services to support patients in the end stage of illness and their carers between the hours of 8p.m. and 8a.m. The availability of a 24 hour care scheme was a major issue as 'regular' service providers are not available when a change in care arises. As a result patients are more likely to be transferred to a hospital which may not be their preferred place of care. In response to this unmet need and in partnership with the PCT, Butterwick Hospice launched a Palliative Out of Hours Service.
In reality only a small number of patients with terminal illness and their carers have access to In-Patient Hospice services. A greater number are supported through Day Hospice and an even larger number remain within their own homes.
The Palliative Out of Hours service responds to the needs of patients, regardless of diagnosis, who wish to die at home and their carers, who will experience the caring role for a short period of time, by giving them the support they need to fulfil their loved ones' wish. This in turn reduces the need for hospital admission. Research has shown that home care can provide significant benefits in symptom control and reduction of anxiety.
The Out of Hours Service is accessed by patients who may be deemed to have a short life expectancy and operates 8.00pm. - 8.00am. 365 days a year. The aim is to provide care and support in the community or the person's place of residence i.e. Nursing Home. It will prevent inappropriate admission and facilitate early discharge from hospital to enable people with life limiting illness to remain at home if they wish.
The care is provided by a Registered nurse and a Healthcare Assistant who visit the patient together. Patients are also able to access the full range of services offered by the Hospice i.e. bereavement support, complementary therapies, spiritual support and social work.
The cost of running the service is around £250,000 per annum.
Registered Charity Number 1044816
THE MARY THOMPSON FUND
The charity was established in memory of Mary who had supported many issues & campaigns around world poverty & refugee rights, & actively supported refugees living in the Tees Valley.
The charity (via it's five trustees) provides emergency and valuable additional support to refugees and people seeking asylum living in our community - most of who are forced to exist on 70% of Income Support levels, but with many left totally destitute.
Living in the midst of our communities are people who simply have nothing. They may have been refused asylum, and are awaiting further legal advice, or they may be from countries where no safe route of return exists. In the meantime, their support from the National Asylum Support Service stops and they find themselves homeless and without the means to buy food - stripped of hope and dignity.
At this point, people have no entitlement to any benefits and rely solely upon the goodwill of friends and the support of the Mary Thompson fund, through the generosity of its donors to provide them with food and £5 cash each week.
We are currently supporting 90 people who are destitute, but we have no assured income. We need to raise a regular weekly sum of around £500 just to maintain a basic level of support. Recently, we have had to resort to giving food only, as we just didn't have sufficient funds to give cash. Every penny donated to the Fund goes directly to those in need.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mary Thompson Fund, c/o 119-121 Marton Rd, Middlesbrough, TS1 2DU Tel. 07910 218 622
Supported by the generous donations of individuals & local organisations,
Tees Valley Community Foundation & Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Support Fund
Registered Charity Number 1112610
MAKE THE TAXMAN INCREASE YOUR GIFT!
Gift Aid is a way of increasing your donation at no cost to you.
For every £7.80 you give, the charities can claim back £2.20 Income Tax from HM Revenue & Customs, provided that you complete a Gift Aid declaration (such as the form below). People paying tax at 40%, in addition claim tax relief of £1.80 for themselves - so they can think of giving more.
This does not apply to donors who are companies. However, they may be able to claim Corporation Tax relief on the amounts they actually give, enabling them to be more generous.
Gift Aid cannot be used on what you spend on tickets, etc., for fund-raising events - but can be used for donations (whether in addition to the price or in lieu if you can't come).
Further information is on www.hmrc.gov.uk. or contact the Mayor's Office for help. The contact details for the Mayor's office are at the top right of this page.
You must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on your donations in the appropriate tax year (currently 28p for each £1 you give).
