The Cumberland Building Society has donated a staggering £44,013 to hospices across Cumbria, sparking heartfelt gratitude among hardworking hospice staff.

The funds will be divided between Eden Valley Hospice, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

The generous donation, marked during National Hospice Care Week, was made feasible by The Cumberland’s Affinity Account savers, who chose to save and benefit local causes.

Staff Nurse Alison Foster, working at Eden Valley Hospice, had a lump in her throat when the donation was announced and she was presented with a surprise bouquet of flowers.

She said: “It’s incredibly moving to think that The Cumberland have donated so much. “It’s an absolute privilege to work with patients and families in end of life care. It is a very sad time but also a very precious time.”

Hospice at Home Nurse, Lynne Reside, shares how important the presence of hospice workers can be for patients and their families through the long nights.

Lynne said: “Nights can seem very long for patients in bed with their thoughts - and for their families who may be barely sleeping as they are so worried about what is going to happen.

“Just having someone there, outside that close knit circle, who can reassure them and help them feel a little safer can make such a difference. Often people want to talk, to share memories, to look at photographs. These are very special times and I am always moved by people’s trust in me.”

Eden Valley Hospice fundraising manager, Eleanor Viney, thanked The Cumberland for its generosity.

She said: “Thank you so much. I know we say it a lot, but we really mean it. Our care is here for families because of your kindness - thank you.”

Kylie Palmer, a fundraiser at Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, shared similar sentiments, saying: “It’s not often that we get a donation like this, especially given the challenging times we are living in, and we could not be more grateful.”

Debbie McKenna, CEO at Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, said: "We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to The Cumberland Building Society and Affinity Account savers. Your support along with your incredible donation will help to ensure patients going through the most difficult of times receive the vital care and support they need."

Eden Valley Hospital receives just 20 per cent of statutory funding, meaning that without donations and grants, it would only open for three months a year.

Chief Executive Julie Clayton said: “We are so grateful to The Cumberland - and their Affinity Account savers - for their incredibly generous ongoing support of the hospice. It’s no secret that we are living through very challenging times so this donation is very much appreciated.”

The Cumberland’s chief customer officer Claire Deekes praised the work of the nurses.

She said: “I want to say thank you, on behalf of our members, to all our hospices for doing such a wonderful job. The care they provide, day in, day out, is incredible.”