St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle demonstrated its exciting expansion plans, new patient technology and community impact during a visit by the Harrison Foundation today.
Founded in the 1970s, the hospice provides outstanding, specialist and expert care to adults and children with life-limiting conditions in the North East as well as short respite breaks to children and young adults from 0-25 and support for those going through a bereavement.
In the 20 years since the charity opened its Children’s Unit, the needs of the children St Oswald’s Hospice cares for have changed significantly. The service was originally designed for young people aged up to 16, but medical advances now mean service users are often cared for by the hospice with St Oswald’s well into adulthood.
To assist with their work, the Harrison Foundation donated £20,000 in 2023, which enabled the charity to purchase a state-of-the-art Arjo Rhapsody bath and lift trolley, an essential piece of equipment that will bring much joy to patients. The new equipment will form the centrepiece of the charity’s expanded children and young adults wing when it opens later this year.
Meanwhile the Harrison Foundation’s business partner True Potential – a financial technology firm based in Newcastle – hosted a fundraising day for St Oswald’s Hospice in November as part of the charity’s Shaun The Sheep On The Tyne art trail. The flock of Shaun the Sheep were later auctioned, raising £310,000 for the hospice. True Potential won ‘Wor Shaun’ at the auction, decorated in the iconic black and white stripes of Newcastle United, and it is now proudly displayed at the firm’s head office.
During today’s visit, Harrison Foundation trustee Daniel Harrison had the opportunity to meet patients and staff at the hospice and see how the donation has been used to purchase new equipment for patients.
Daniel said: “St Oswald’s Hospice is a much loved and well-known charity for the work it has done over decades to support patients and families across the North East. It was great to have the opportunity to visit the hospice today and meet patients and the amazing hospice staff. I got to hear more about their work and the positive impact they have on so many lives. It was also great to see how the Harrison Foundation’s donation will be put to good use by enabling the hospice to purchase new equipment for patients as part of the new and exciting building project.”