Banks Group Backs Butterwick Hospice With Four-Figure Equipment Grant
A much-loved Stockton hospice has used a four-figure grant from a regional employer to bring in new equipment which increases patient comfort during their admission for treatment and care.
Butterwick Hospice has used the £1,900 Banks Group grant to buy two new syringe drivers, which are used to deliver different medications to patients without the need for a separate injection to be given each time.
Syringe drivers deliver a continuous flow of medication just under the skin and can be used to help manage symptoms at any stage of a patient’s illness, as well as during end-of-life care.
Their use makes a tangible difference to both the comfort of patients and to the peace of mind of their families as they collectively face the most difficult of situations.
Founded 40 years ago, Butterwick Hospice supports local people and communities across Teesside and County Durham and provides holistic care for children and adults living with a life-limiting illness, as well as support for their families and loved ones.
It was founded by Mary Butterwick OBE following the death of her husband, John. She drew on her own experiences to develop a holistic service to care for adults, babies and children, as well as providing support for their families and loved ones.
All Butterwick’s services are provided free of charge and delivered directly from hospice premises in Stockton and Bishop Auckland, as well as in patients’ homes through a dedicated home care service team.
It costs approximately £3m annually to fund the hospice’s services, with less than 30% of this amount coming from statutory funds.
Anne Cooling, director of income generation at Butterwick Hospice, says: “The financial challenges facing the hospice sector are sadly very well-known and we’re collectively doing as much as we can to continue to raise the funds, we need to ensure we can keep providing all our different services.
“Receiving grant funding like this from local companies like the Banks Group makes a huge difference to our work and very much reflects the community-centred way of working that’s at the heart of everything we do.”
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: “The contribution that Butterwick Hospice has made to the well-being of families across the region over more than four decades is absolutely immense.
“The team delivers unwavering care and support to local people and we’re very happy to be contributing to the amazing work that they do.”
The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North (formerly the County Durham Community Foundation).
Anyone from a community close to a Banks Group project who is interested in applying for funding from the Banks Community Fund should contact the company via its website enquiry form (www.banksgroup.co.uk/contact-us/) to find out if their group or project is eligible.