The hospice’s fundraising team renamed the day 'Thank you Thursday', and set about saying thank you to as many of its supporters as possible, including community groups, businesses and schools.

The team went out and about in Peterborough and the surrounding area to say thank you in person, and handed out cakes baked by people and volunteers from the hospice’s day services. They also sent out certificates and took to the phones to say thank you.

The hospice is the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough, and provides care and support for people who are living with a life-limiting condition and their families.

Head of Hospice Fundraising, Donna Young, said: “This week is Hospice Care Week and we have taken the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us in the local community, as we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them. We are there for our patients and their families when it matters and our care is free of cost."

"Last year we provided around 145,000 hours of support. We need to raise £2.4m to continue to provide our support this year. Without people’s tireless fundraising and kind generosity, we wouldn’t be able to continue to provide the care for which we are so well known for. We tried to thank as many people as possible during Thank you Thursday – if we didn’t get a chance to speak to you, please know that we are really grateful for your support.”

What the support means to families

One of the families recently supported by Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice was Keith Newell and his wife Sue Newell and daughter Kim Wright. Keith, who had myeloma and heart problems, was cared for by the hospice’s specialist palliative care inpatient unit. He sadly passed away earlier this month.

“It’s a home from home, that’s the best way to describe it,” added Kim. “You feel like you are walking into a bedroom, not a hospital room. And it is not just about the patient, they care for the family as well. Nothing is too much trouble. Mum could be here with Dad constantly and she has had plenty of cuddles from the nurses.”