South Tyneside hospice gets 30th anniversary cash boost

The hospice, in based in Primrose Terrace Jarrow, has been celebrating 30 years of hospice care in South Tyneside adter first opening its doors in 1987.

It provides specialist palliative care and support to local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

A registered charity, the annual running costs are just under £2.1m - £1.7m of which has to be raised through the generosity of the local community.

Ann White, from South Shields, won the first prize of £2,500.

She said: “My daughter Joanne volunteered in St Clare’s Day Care for over a year and loved it. Now she works as a volunteer counsellor.

“My husband died of cancer in 2008. I have supported St Clare’s for many years, completing four zip slides and an abseil to raise money for it. I bought £5 worth of tickets and ended up winning. I’ve donated £100 back to the hospice from my winnings.

Muriel Cassidy, Manager of the St Clare’s Hospice Fredrick Street charity shop, won second prize - an iPad - and Kathy Dudley, from East Bolden, was the winner of the third prize - a Barbour jacket.

Wendy McGauley, head of fundraising and communications at St Clare’s Hospice, said: “On behalf of everyone at St Clare’s Hospice I’d like to say huge congratulations to our lucky winners and a big thank you to everyone who bought tickets for our 30th Birthday Raffle.

“The money raised in the raffle will enable us to continue providing care and support to people affected by life-limiting illnesses in South Tyneside. We could not do this without the kindness and generosity of our local community. We are looking forward to the next 30 years

at St Clare’s.”