ESTABLISHED in 1982, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice is a registered charity (No. 1039086) and since April 2006, it has been responsible for the palliative care of terminally-ill adults on the Isle of Wight.
At the time of writing (April 2013), this flagship hospice caters for around 1,800 patients and their families per year. The patients have a wide range of life-shortening conditions, including cancer, brain tumours, motor neurone disease, congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
Although the charity does receive some funding from official sources, it still has to raise at least £2 million per year just to keep its doors open. One chunk of that fundraising comes from the annual Walk The Wight, in which people from across the world walk across the island from east to west (a total of 26.5 miles). The hospice also runs its own lottery to help generate funds.
The hospice has less than 20 beds, but provides excellent day-care facilities, as well as its innovative Hospice@Home service. The latter gives people who would prefer to die at home, surrounded by their family, the peace of mind that they will be properly cared for at all times.
There are lots of ways in which people can help the Earl Mountbatten Hospice raise the vital cash it needs to keep going. Find out more on the EMH website at www.iwhospice.org