You've done it ! Our Helping Hand appeal for Saint Catherine's smashes its target

The ‘Helping Hand’ campaign was launched in February by The Scarborough News and its sister titles, the Whitby Gazette and Bridlington Free Press, with the aim of raising £11,000 for the charity – the amount it will take to pay for an extra day of care in a leap year.

With 366 days in 2020, the campaign – thanks to your incredible support – has raised more than the amount needed to fund the hospice’s extra 24 hours of care.

The amount raised currently stands at more than £13,300. But the appeal is not closed - every penny really counts and you can still donate by clicking HERE.

Mike Wilkerson, chief executive at the hospice, said: “On behalf of everyone at Saint Catherine’s, including all our staff, volunteers, patients and loved ones, I would like to say a massive thank you to The Scarborough News and all of its readers who supported the Helping Hand campaign.

“The amount you have raised is amazing and to have achieved this during a pandemic makes the result even more impressive.

“Everyone has faced their own personal challenges this year and to know you have all been thinking of Saint Catherine’s at this time is very special indeed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Steve Bambridge, Deputy Editor of The Scarborough News and its sister papers, said: “We were more than happy to launch an appeal in aid of Saint Catherine’s, which does such valuable work across a huge area along the coast and into Ryedale.

“Many, many thanks to everyone who donated, and to exceed the target is fantastic.”

WATCH: A major campaign, Helping Hand, will help Saint Catherine's raise the extra cash it needs in this leap year

The money raised during the Helping Hand campaign will go towards providing specialist services to patients, their families and loved ones – with all services provided free of charge. The charity looks after people with terminal illnesses, both in the hospice and in their own homes.

This year has been hugely challenging for Saint Catherine’s – as it has been for all charities – due to Covid-19. However, the hospice has continued to care for patients throughout the pandemic and ensured that patients can be visited safely by loved ones, thanks to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Patients and their families and friends have told the charity how much this has meant to them, especially during this very difficult time.

For example: “Allowing us to remain with my husband 24/7 gave us precious quality time with him. Every detail of care provided was so well done with gentleness and compassion that I can hardly find the words to say how much it meant to us all.

"Our lives are richer and more full of gratitude for being able to witness the incomparable work you ALL do, from the nurses to the cleaners to the kitchen staff and admin team. God bless you all, thank you!”

This has only been possible with the continued support of the public, as only a third of Saint Catherine’s funding comes from NHS and government sources.

To find out more about how to help Saint Catherine’s, for example through regular giving or organising your own fundraising event, go to www.saintcatherines.org.uk/How-you-can-help-us/