Rowans Hospice gets six-figure cash boost for Silver Jubilee Appeal thanks to Wolfson Foundation

Rowans Hospice has been awarded £125,000 from the Wolfson Foundation to help take the charity closer to the funding needed to complete the first phase of its Silver Jubilee Appeal to transform the patient unit.

The hospice in Purbrook launched the £7.5m appeal to fund a three-year, three-phase project to improve the building and the care it provides.

Rowans chief executive Ruth White said: ‘The Wolfson Foundation are major supporters of the hospice movement and we are delighted that they have chosen to make this major grant towards our Silver Jubilee Appeal, to regenerate Rowans Hospice for the benefit of current and future patients.

‘The hospice renovation project is exciting and necessary. In the 25 years since we opened the doors of the hospice, technology, medical practices and knowledge have all advanced. The first phase will introduce the latest in technology to support patients’ independence.

‘We are using proven scientific research into the benefits of harnessing the natural environment, and the use of different textiles and colours. This will support the growing number of patients we are witnessing with dementia and cognitive impairments, and will totally transform the in-patient unit to benefit all.’

Work on the patient unit began in July.

Ruth added: ‘From community and corporate giving to a number of significant trust donations and grants, including the Wolfson Foundation, the Appeal has raised over three quarters of the funds needed to complete phase one.

‘We are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this grant. The additional help that grant-making trusts can provide is absolutely vital, particularly when we are trying to raise money to undertake capital developments on top of the £7.2m we have to raise to deliver our services each year.’

Lin Richardson, Deputy Chief Executive from the Wolfson Foundation added: ‘The Wolfson Foundation seeks to support hospices that provide excellent care to patients and their families. Rowans Hospice is one such organisation and therefore we are delighted to support the Rowans Hospice Silver Jubilee Appeal.

‘The hospice’s services are highly valued and well regarded by the local community, and we hope that our funding, which is awarded following rigorous and independent expert review, acts as an endorsement of their work.’

To find out more about the Silver Jubilee Appeal, and how you or your organisation can support Rowans Hospice visit silverjubilee.rowanshospice.co.uk/