A Message from Bolton Hospice

"Our local community does incredible things to support Bolton Hospice – from donating to shops, gifting their time and expertise to volunteer, to running marathons. But hospices need more support from governments to be able to play their full part in meeting the challenges we face in the UK’s healthcare system.

And right now, that government funding is falling short. For the first time ever, more funding has been raised by hospices’ own retail than has been given to them by the state.

Hospices are facing huge financial pressure. The modest amounts of funding they receive from governments are forcing them to cut their vital services.

All the UK’s hospices rely on fundraising to keep their doors open, and keep caring for people at the end of life. Bake sales, fun runs and second-hand clothes are funding vital services.

But those services shouldn’t have to depend on the generosity of the public.

READ MORE: Save Bolton Hospice: Bolton News campaign raises £100,000s

Save Bolton Hospice: Challenge unlike any other in 30 years

Despite the unwavering support of loyal local communities, hospices now find themselves in an impossible position.

Across the country, hospice services are being cut. Inpatient beds are closing. Community services are being reduced.

Last year Bolton Hospice announced that due to a combination of the cost-of-living crisis, high fuel and energy costs, high inflation and over 15 years of below inflation increases to our government NHS funding, their projected financial deficit for 2023-24 was £1.2million, and that without further government funding for 2024-25 and beyond, they would need to consider closing or reducing their vital services.

Thanks to the incredible support of The Bolton News with their ‘Save Bolton Hospice’ campaign and the efforts of our generous local community, an extra £670,000 was raised through donations and income generation which has enabled them to continue running their vital services this year.

However, with an underlying financial deficit remaining and only 21 per cent of the costs of running the hospice met by government funding and costs & demand rapidly increasing - donations, fundraising and gifts in wills have never been so important."