Bishop of St Albans hails much-loved Garden House Hospice Care as respected clergyman hosts garden party for charity donors

A senior clergyman has praised the work of a North Herts charity - and hailed our community for the support given to such a worthy cause.

The Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans, hosted a well-attended garden party to thank a number of benefactors to Garden House Hospice Care.

The acclaimed hospice provides free, compassionate end of life care and support to patients and their families in the communities across North Herts and beyond.

The Bishop paid tribute to the outstanding work undertaken by everyone associated with the popular charity.

Speaking to Nub News, the Bishop said: "It's been amazing to welcome so many huge supporters of the hospice.

"Many of the people here have also family members or friends who have been in the hospice - so they've seen the extraordinary level of support and help that the hospice gives. It's one of the great unsung stories of our country in town after town after town, where local people raise money to offer incredible care.

"It's such a privilege to support Garden House Hospice Care - and I hope that many other people will join those already helping.

"Cherish Garden House - it's a fantastic place - go and visit as I know the team would love to welcome people, but also if someone you know needs help, please do encourage them to go. It's so moving the way you are treated with such dignity and care at a very vulnerable time if you've got some illness or something that is affecting you.

"So, my message to the community would be: Don't take the Hospice for granted - help it all you can."

Lockdown has hit charities hard up and down the land, including our area, which is why it is so vital that our community continues to donate to the Garden House, in terms of fundraising as well as with items that can be sold in their charity shops.

Garden House Hospice Care opened its doors more than 30 years ago, providing personalised and compassionate palliative and end of life care to thousands of local patients.

The charity believes in people living well to the end of their days, and support and empower their patients, their families and carers from the day they receive a diagnosis.

This was underlined by Hospice chairman Steve Mellish who also attended the event at Abbey Gate House in St Albans.

Mr Mellish was elected as chairman of the Hospice in June 2021, having joined the board as a Trustee in 2016. He was also Chairman of the Board of the Trading Company from 2017 to 2021, which saw significant growth in the company's operations.

Speaking to Nub News, Mr Mellish explained: "It's hard to put into words when you hear someone like the Bishop of St Albans talk about palliative, end of life care and relating it to our own hospice. It's just incredible the amount of support and love we get from the community.

"It is much needed, as the services we provide are free - but demand is rising and but costs are going up. So, an event like this is really important for us to get our message out there and highlight what we're doing.

"People on the whole are really generous. It costs £15,000 a day to run our services and we have to raise around £9,500 every single day. It's hard work but we are committed to do everything possible, not only to maintain the services we provide but to expand upon them, and to reach people much earlier in their diagnosis.

"We are indebted to the people that help and support our much-loved, much-need services."

Garden House Hospice Care is made up of a dedicated team of 200 staff and over 500 volunteers across the organisation.

The event also saw a number of the Hospice's highly-acclaimed, hard-working volunteers, fund-raisers and staff attend, including Sarah-Jane Free, chief executive Sue Plummer, director of income generation, Carla Pilsworth, the tireless Jean Allinson. Faye Silver, branch principal of Raymond James Hitchin was also present.

The Bishop was a gracious host, inviting a number of dignitaries into his beautiful gardens in the shadows of St Albans Cathedral.

Among the gathering was the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Sally Burton.

The High Sheriff is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to represent her in the County of Hertfordshire in matters relating to law and order, with the post dating back to at least 1567.

Speaking to Nub News, the Sheriff, resplendent in Court Dress of blue velvet and a hat adorned with white ostrich feathers, added: "I think everybody should support Hospices.

"As everybody has had such a rubbish time over the last couple of years during the pandemic, the great news is that we can get out and about together again, and see one another - and try and drum up more support for great causes.

"The Garden House is a really great cause. I'm having a great time. The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire is in much demand - but I feel that if I can bring a bit of light into people's lives then I will do so.

"I'm very grateful to the Garden House Hospice for inviting me."

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Garden House Hospice Care supports the communities of Hitchin, Stevenage, Letchworth and the surrounding towns of north Herts as well as villages in Central Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The charity provides personalised and compassionate palliative end of life care for those in need following a diagnosis of a life limiting illness.

If you would like to learn more, or find out how you can volunteer and/or donate to such a worthy cause, click here

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