At the Light for Life Service at Wigan and Leigh Hospice attended by Wigan Group Chairman John Selley, group vice chairman Ian Green and their partners Sue and Pauline, Wigan Group made a donation to the hospice of £750, and also sponsored a Christmas tree within the grounds.
The sponsored tree carried the plaque: “Wigan Masonic Group. In memory of Chris Reeman and all other departed brethren”. Needless to say, Jacqui Reeman was delighted with this gesture.
In addition to this, brethren from Orrell Lodge No 8371 donated £200 in Chris Reeman’s memory, with Lodge of Faith No 484 making a donation of £500 from their installation. Music for the event was provided by Trinity Girl’s Brass Band with some excellent singing from Quest Trust Group, who are a group of young children from local schools.
Despite the inclement weather, performances were outstanding all round. Following the musical interlude, all guests were invited to have a look around the splendidly decorated gardens which looked both stunning and seasonal.
This service operates throughout the Wigan and Leigh Borough supporting patients and families in their own homes, care homes and also patients who are homeless. There are 14 beds at the hospice, which are almost always at full capacity.
It costs the hospice £18,500 per day to run all the services, which includes the In-Patient Unit in Hindley, the bereavement and counselling services and the ‘Hospice in your Home’ Service. While people usually associate hospice care with cancer, care is available to anyone referred with a terminal and life-limiting diagnosis.
Some interesting facts about Wigan and Leigh Hospice are; in 2023-24 costs of an IPU bed were £704 per day, £257,000 per year. Running costs per day £18,500, £6,752,500 per year. Funds required to be raised through shops and fundraising to keep the hospice running, £4,400,000 per year, £12,000 per day.
From the Quality Account in 2022-23; 1,389 individual patients accessed the services. 267 people were cared for on the IPU (7% increase on p/y). 15 days was the average length of stay on IPU. 2,305 patients were supported by the Hospice Nurse Specialist Team. 2,597 patients were supported by Hospice in Your Home team. 276 people were supported with complementary therapies. 234 people accessed counselling services. 358 people accessed bereavement services and 6,087 referrals were made.
