L-R – Graham Alderman (G/E Lions & ELH volunteer), Len Davies (President of G/E Lions), Tricia Wilcocks, Barry Clarke (Treasurer of G/E Lions & Trustee of ELH)

»Fundraisers have donated £10,000 towards an appeal to raise £1million as part of the EllenorLions Hospices Means to an End Appeal.

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Launched at the end of last year it aims to fund the running of a service which offers home support to more than 300 seriously ill adults and 100 children in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Bexley.

This month members of the Gravesend Lions Club handed over a £10,000 cheque to Tricia Wilcocks, head of quality and care at EllenorLions Hospices.

The sum was raised in 2011 through monthly car boot fairs, bucket collections, a Christmas barrel organ appeal and other fundraising activities.

‘Fantastic’

Tricia said: “It just goes to show how putting a little bit of money into a bucket collection in the town centre will quickly add up to raise this fantastic amount of money.

“We would like to thank everyone involved at Gravesend Lions Club for all their hard work and dedication.”

The charity has seen a 30 per cent increase in patient numbers, out-stripping the rate of fundraising and donations in the current economic climate.

Its Means to an End Appeal, asks the community to help raise an additional £1million over the next year to invest in care at home. Thirty per cent more patients have been cared for at home this year, which is most people’s preferred place of death.

The charity runs a hospice in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, and a day centre in East Hill, Dartford.

In December energy company, UK Power Networks, donated £250,000 at the launch of the appeal.

The charity cares for those with serious illnesses, which are not curable, but which are treatable – illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease, kidney failure, and heart and lung conditions.

Matt Rudling, head of customer services at UK Power Networks, He said: “It is incredibly moving to hear the inspirational work EllenorLions carries out with those who really need their help the most. It is also is immensely rewarding to know this money will make such a positive difference to people’s lives.”

The funding to the hospice followed an extended power cut in Dartford and Bexley caused by vandals in 2009.

n To support the Means to an End Appeal visit www.ellenorlions.org or call 01322 221315.