A WEST Cumbrian charity has been given a cash boost which will cover three quarters of the cost for nurses to provide end-of-life care during the festive period.

Hospice At Home West Cumbria was handed £10,000 by the the Sellafield Contractors Group Charity Committee (SCGCC).

The cash was raised thanks to charity events and donations from the Sellafield Contractors Group.

Hayley McKay, head of marketing and income generation at Hospice At Home West Cumbria, said: “This £10,000 gift makes a huge contribution to our ability to provide home nursing care. Our nurses are caring 365 days of the year and £10,000 will enable us to deliver three quarters of our home nursing hours over the forthcoming festive period. Enabling patients to remain at home with their loved ones at this special time of year is priceless.”

Lilian Simmonds, senior Hospice nurse, said: “It helps to know that we can continue to provide that support for patients and families. The feedback we get is incredible – what we do makes a huge difference to someone’s end-of- life care knowing that they can stay at home, the place of their choice, and someone will be there to give them symptom management, care and compassion.”

The SCGCC has a panel drawn from representatives of the Sellafield contractors that make recommendations about the donations they make. The group has a strong preference to work with local organisations rather than national charities.

Sue Crone, chairman of the SCGCC, said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be able to give this money. I think the reason the committee chose Hospice is because they do so much for the local area. You see all the Macmillan coffee mornings taking place, but none of that money comes to those nurses that look after people in this area.”