Crunch forces city hospice to launch new fundraising drive

Published on Saturday 28 February 2009 10:11

AN Edinburgh hospice is to launch a major fundraising drive to help generate money for its new development after losing millions thanks to the credit crunch and financial downturn.

Bosses at St Columba's Hospice in the north of the city revealed today they had lost "several million pounds" worth of investments in recent times.

They added that they will need to make up 14 million to complete the redevelopment in three years, which would turn it into a world-class facility.

Although the project is still on course to take place – the plans will see the current Granton facility completely rebuilt – a greater emphasis will now have to be placed on fundraising and donations in order to cover the cost of the scheme.

Charity chiefs added that although they had been adversely affected by the global recession, finances would have taken an even greater hit had it not been for some shrewd management, which saw them exercise earlier financial caution.

The hospice – one of only two in the Lothians – was also keen to point out it still had considerable reserves, and that its keenly anticipated revamp was not under threat.

As well as losing millions through investments, the associated charity shops which raise funds for the much-loved hospice are reporting difficulties in collecting enough stock because of a fall in public donations.

Volunteers out on the street with collection tins are also recording a drop in income, and the organisation has had to radically slash some of the ticket prices for events to guarantee a larger turnout.

Margaret Dunbar, nursing and administrative director of the hospice, said since its creation in 1977 the hospice has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with both its immediate neighbours and the wider community of Edinburgh.

She hopes the thousands of families who can lay claim to some kind of association will be able to rally round and help St Columba's – which earlier this month received a glowing report from Care Commission inspectors – during the tough times, to ensure a brighter future for the 30 patients, 100 staff and 500 volunteers.

"We have always had the support of local people – without them the hospice could not function, and would not be the very special place it is," she said.

Under the ambitious redevelopment proposals, which are still with council planners, more space would be made for patients and an education wing created, including a lecture theatre and seminar rooms.

A more expansive outpatient unit will also appear, and additional single rooms provided for patients with advanced, progressive illness, although the overall capacity won't increase.

The land next to the current hospice has already been bought in anticipation of the project.

Fundraising director Lesley Christie added: "We urge everyone in Edinburgh to support us, to help us rebuild for the city of Edinburgh a new, state-of-the-art hospice.

"It will support the best possible care for our patients and their families, and to enable us to continue to provide our specialist palliative care services, which are free of charge to patients and families."

• www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk