Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, visited Saint Francis Hospice’s Hornchurch superstore this week to learn more about how its network of charity shops helps raise vital funds to support local hospice care.
During the visit, Mrs Lopez met Michelle Nicholls, Director of Income Generation at Saint Francis Hospice, along with volunteers at the High Street store, to hear about how the shop contributes to the charity’s mission of providing compassionate palliative and end-of-life care to local people.
Mrs Lopez said:
“I wanted to highlight the incredible work Saint Francis Hospice does in the local community to provide critical services to people at a time when they really need that support. Monday’s visit was a focus on the shop aspect of hospices and the incredible work of volunteers in the hospice shops. They raise an enormous amount of money, take all sorts of donations, and also provide huge support within the community.”
She added that hospice shops offer more than just a shopping experience:
“People may come in to buy something, but there’s often a friendly chat that takes place, helping to combat loneliness and connect people with sources of help. It’s much more than a retail space.”
Saint Francis Hospice receives just 31% of its funding from government and relies on donations and fundraising to raise almost £9 million a year to cover the cost of its services.
Mrs Lopez has been working closely with the hospice and continues to press for sustainable government support for hospice care.
“Hospices do incredible things for people at a vulnerable time in their lives and it’s important that they are helped financially — both through the tax system and through government support. I’ve been working in Parliament to highlight the funding challenges hospices face, particularly following the rise in National Insurance contributions.”
The visit formed part of UK Hospice Week, a national campaign celebrating the work of hospices across the country and the volunteers who make their services possible.
