Strathcarron Hospice asks public to pledge support in 2021

Strathcarron Hospice, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the new year, has been supporting people across Forth Valley and beyond to not only die well, but to live well.

The independent Fankerton facility was founded on the back of the hospice movement at a time when it cost £218 to run the hospice for one day.

Four decades on, the daily funding requirement has risen to £12,900.

The charity now needs to raise more than £4.5 million each year to keep its services running.

Falkirk district residents are being asked to play their part and raise a minimum of £218 throughout 2021 for Strathcarron.

The first of Strathcarron’s virtual events kicks off on January 1 when fundraisers can walk, run, cycle or swim their way into the new year with the ‘5k per day, your way’ challenge.

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Claire Macdonald, Strathcarron’s business development fundraiser, said: “We’ve been providing specialist care, love and support to all those who need us for 40 years but we need the support of our local community now more than ever, to ensure we can keep on caring in our 40th year and beyond.

“We’ve got a number of campaigns and events for people to get involved in throughout 2021 and we hope that the local community will support us to keep on caring for all those who need us.”

The importance of Strathcarron and the support it offers is clear to see in the words members of the public have penned to staff.

Martin Mellon wrote: “My wee wife Frances spent her last few days in the care of your wonderful hospice.

"The care both her and myself received was nothing short of exemplary. We had been together almost 20 years and always had the intention of getting married.

“Well, on December 20, 2018 with the help of your wonderful staff and chaplain Stuart Murdoch we realised our dream.

“Sadly she passed away the following day but she left this planet a happy wee soul. You all really did make me believe in angels.”

Lorraine Turnbull wrote: “My wonderful husband was cared for by my earth angels at Strathcarron from January 2016.

“They helped with his pain management many times through his horrendous ordeal with cancer from 2016 to February 2019 when he sadly passed.

“I can never repay Strathcarron and the staff for the love, care, laughter, treatment they gave my husband, myself and family.

“He died four days after his 64th birthday but the staff made his day so special with dancing, singing, decorating his room, balloons, hugs and kisses. It left a happy memory with me forever.

“My son Chris has raised thousands of pounds through doing fun runs, half marathons and he was Strathcarron's poster boy for the Stirling Marathon in 2019.

“He'd never ever done this before but did it all for Strathcarron to give something back in his dad's memory. One very proud mum.

“I am myself a volunteer being involved in many projects for the hospice and I've really missed it all because of Covid.

“Strathcarron was my second home for a long time and will always be my family and in my heart.”

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