The ellenor hospice charity has launched an appeal to raise vital funds to keep services going over Christmas.

It is urging people to donate now, so families across Gravesend, Dartford and Bexley can get the support they need in the coming weeks.

A spokesman said: "This Christmas, you can help provide vital comfort and care to adults and children who will desperately need our support.

"First, we’d like to say thank you to our community – because the support of local people has enabled our nursing teams to move mountains – and to cope during this exhausting year.

"But, we aren’t in the clear yet; there are many more very tough days ahead for the people we care for in our community.

"Throughout the pandemic, the demand for care in people’s own homes has increased massively each day. As we approach this Christmas, our nurses are feeling the strain from these long, stressful months. And yet, they’re determined to step up to provide the comfort and care that will make Christmas the best it can be for everyone in our care.

"People like Tim, a wonderful 72-year-old gentleman who needed us during the pandemic; and Hayley, a fabulous eight-year-old who we’ve supported since her cancer diagnosis.

"We know that ellenor’s care is never more important than at Christmas for families like Tim’s and Hayley’s. For some, it could be their last Christmas together, one last chance to create lasting memories with the people they love.

"And so, our adult community nursing team will visit patients through the holidays, including Christmas Day, bringing expert care and a bit of much-needed sunshine into their homes. Our children’s team will be on call too, offering expert support to allow families to have Christmas at home with their little ones. If a child reaches the end of their life over Christmas, our nursing team will be there to ensure the child’s last hours are spent in comfort and peace.

"We want to be there for everyone who needs us, but as we approach the end of one of the most traumatic years in history when income from events, fundraising activities, and our shops have disappeared almost completely, we desperately need your help to keep ellenor nurses out in the community throughout the winter."

The charity is appealing for people to make a gift to support vital community care over the holidays.

A breakdown of costs shows £28.39 will pay for an hour of a nurse’s care for a child, £47.39 is the cost of a typical nurse’s visit to a patient’s home, and £154.69 is enough to ensure the nurse support line is available for 12 full hours over Christmas.

The charity is also trying to spread some festive cheer. Staff have created an ellenor Christmas bauble which you can download, write a message of love and hope and send back to display at the hospice to brighten the days of the nurses, patients, and families there.

You can print as many as you like for your own Christmas tree too.

Visit ellenor.org or call the supporter care team on 01322 626509.

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