A Cumbrian charity has welcomed four new representatives to its board of trustees.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice recently welcomed Joseph Barrell, Mark Duffell, Bronwyn Kerr and David Tattersall as volunteer trustees.
Trustees bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills to the charity as they represent the local community and help the hospice progress into the future.
Mark said: “My dad, Brian, spent his final days in the hospice before Christmas in 2017 and my family and I were blown away by the care, support and friendliness we were shown by all the Eden Valley Hospice team.
“They made our last few days together special and we often recall them. I swore then that I would do something to pay that back, although we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe the team for those days.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to help out from time to time on the marketing side on a voluntary basis and my nephew, Nathan, has volunteered many times for the same reason.
“So, when the chance came to be a trustee, I jumped at it. It was a chance to honour my dad’s memory and do something for an organisation that’s close to my heart.
“My dad would certainly want the team who cared for him so well to be supported in every way they can.
“The hospice is amazing, the team are brilliant and I’ll do anything I can to help them ensure the hospice builds on it success of the last 30 years.”
This year is a significant year for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw as it marks three decades of caring for local people with life-limiting illnesses.
For over 30 years the support of the local community has helped to build the hospice, purchase specialist equipment and provide vital care to local people with life limiting illnesses. Every donation helps the local community.
David added: “Throughout my life I have always tried to give back to the community where possible, whether that’s as a volunteer with Cumbria Fire and Rescue, as a road awareness volunteer or now as a volunteer trustee at Eden Valley Hospice.
“I lost my mother to cancer at a young age which gave me an insight into palliative care and how important it is to families.
“Growing up in Cumbria I have always known about Eden Valley Hospice and how important the services are.
“As I have personally seen what strains life limiting illnesses have on families, I want to be able to ensure that the hospice is here for the foreseeable future helping people and families in need.”
The board of trustees, who are all volunteers, has overall responsibility for the governance of the hospice, along with supporting its strategic development.
The board also ensures that the charity maintains and develops its services to the local community, is well run and meets its legal and financial obligations.
Bronwyn added: “The last year has shown us all how important a kind and supportive environment is for a person and their families in their last days and weeks of life.
“My 25 years of working in the NHS has given me a broad experience in working with families confronted by life shortening illnesses and in developing and maintaining high quality services.
“I hope this will be useful in supporting the high standards of cared to which the Eden Valley Hospice is committed.”
Joseph said, “I wanted to become a trustee in order to use my knowledge and skills to benefit the local community.
“With an interest in helping those at the end of their life’s journey, and their relatives and loved ones, I feel that the opportunity at the hospice provides the ideal framework.
“I am a compassionate person with a genuine desire to make a difference where possible and I am looking forward to being able to make a positive contribution to the work of the hospice.”
