WILTSHIRE businesses and individuals are being invited to pay for a day's worth of care at the Dorothy House Hospice Care in Winsley.

The money raised will help Dorothy House fund its palliative and end-of-life nursing care which is free for patients with a life-limiting illness like cancer, neurological conditions, heart disease or respiratory disease.

Henrietta Beard, Corporate Fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care said: “Charitable business partnership activity takes many forms and Pay for a Day is an innovative opportunity for local companies to shape their own relationship with Dorothy House.

“Corporate partnership packages can be varied to suit the corporate social responsibility needs of local companies such as funding nursing care while also involving staff in volunteering, setting up their own events or fundraising activity for the Hospice.”

Only 17 per cent of care costs at Dorothy House are met by government funding so the remainder has to be raised by the Hospice’s fundraising in the community, gifts in wills, retail shops and education programmes.

Companies who support Pay for a Day can raise funds in their own way and in their own timeframe to pay for 24 hours of nursing care which costs £8,595.

This sum covers the cost of a day and a night’s care at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Winsley or 24 hours of care provided in a patient’s home by the charity's Hospice at Home and Nurse Specialist teams serving Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset and Somerset.Pay for a Day donors will be invited to choose a specific day to fund nursing care at Dorothy House.

They will be invited for a tour of the Hospice and to meet some of the nursing teams, and will receive a personal certificate and be included in a Book of Days which celebrates all Pay for a Day donors.

Recognition of Pay for a Day supporters will also be provided via the Dorothy House website and social media channels.

Stephanie Cole, the well-known television and theatre actress who lives near Bath, said: “It’s my absolute privilege to be supporting the vital care Dorothy House provides, allowing peace and comfort during a person’s final days."

“ They’re a charity which receives very little government funding so it’s only with our support that they’re able to do this. I have been a proud ambassador of Dorothy House ever since my husband, Peter, fell ill and I witnessed first-hand the incredible care their lovely nurses provide.

“Pay for a Day is a perfect way to support them, you can give or raise money in a way to suit you. No matter what you’ll achieve something amazing, you’ll be funding kind and professional, end of life care for local people like you and me.”

Katie McDonald, from Corsham and owner of Marble Works of Bath, said: “'Dorothy House is very close to our hearts and as a local, family run business we wanted to give to a charity supporting our community rather than a national charity.

“My Grandad was cared for by Dorothy House thirty years ago at Bloomfield Road and since then some members of our family, as well as friends’ families have benefited from the incredible end of life care offered by the Hospice.

“Once you have been touched by the wonderful care Dorothy House offers, it’s easy to make the decision to support them and we are delighted to be involved in Pay for a Day to fund nursing care for the Hospice.”

Jo Millard, from Frome and mum of Benj Millard a recent Dorothy House patient from Trowbridge, said: “When Benj, our wonderful son, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer he was just 33. The Hospice’s nurses and other staff helped us find peace throughout this uncertain journey with their warm, comforting blanket of care.

“From our sense of heartbreak and impending loss, Dorothy House felt like a salvation. We will never be able to repay the Hospice but we can help them raise essential funds for other families to receive the compassion, peace and dignity that was so priceless to us.

“Each day there is special – and we’ll always remember the 11 incredible days that Dorothy House gave us with our beloved Benj. Please support them however you can.”

Stuart Pearce, Director of Journey4 in Taunton, said: “We wanted to support a great local charity and see the difference our contribution is making so Dorothy House’s Pay for a Day initiative is the perfect solution.

“Dorothy House puts the patient at the centre of their care and use their enormous expertise to deliver this care to people in the community, like my mother who they cared for in 2003.

“It is motivating to know we’ll be paying for all the nursing care at the Hospice on our chosen day as well as our staff getting involved in the Hospice’s fundraising and volunteering activities. The ultimate achievement will be knowing we’re playing our part in the journey of care for local people, I think that’s a goal every business could support.”

To find out about Pay for a Day or other business partnership opportunities with DHHC go www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.

With the financial end of year fast approaching, local businesses may benefit from tax breaks via gifts to local charities like Dorothy House, to find out more visit https://www.gov.uk/tax-limited-company-gives-to-charity.