A CARLISLE hospice has received a major funding boost of £20,000 after local authorities joined forces to show their support.

Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council have each granted £10,000 to Eden Valley Hospice (EVH), helping to ease the financial difficulties it has faced as a result of the pandemic.

It comes as Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice, announced TV presenter and polar explorer Paul Rose as its newest patron.

Patricia Livsey, the charities' chief executive, welcomed both developments which she said recognise and promote the vital services the hospices provide.

She said: “I would like to express my grateful thanks to both Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council for their generous funding of £20,000 to Eden Valley Hospice.

“It is wonderful that both councils recognise the valuable contribution the hospice makes for our community and this funding will help in the financial challenges we are currently facing due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

“This donation will truly help us to continue to provide our much needed service for local people with life limiting illnesses.”

She added: “We are delighted to welcome Paul as a Patron at Jigsaw. Our Patrons play an important role in promoting the vital services we provided to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses from throughout Cumbria.”

Mr Rose was "delighted" to become a patron for Jigsaw, which provides care to children from across the county with life-limiting illnesses, but was devastated to learn it had lost 70 per cent of its funding.

“The vital work of Jigsaw has been unreasonably affected," he said, "and if this continues there is a real worry for the future of the hospice.

“In this demanding period where every penny counts, we all have to be thoughtful where we focus our energies and resources. As patron of all the Jigsaw activities I look forward to helping to bring awareness and recognition of their essential efforts. But at the moment I’m highly focussed on the funding crisis."

Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle agreed to award the £10,000 grant to EVH.

Councillor Deborah Earl, the county council's cabinet member for Public Health and Local Committees, said Eden Valley Hospice was an important local institution that has helped countless families, including her own, through difficult times.

“The last few months have been challenging for us all, especially for charities, which rely on hosting fundraising events and the work of their dedicated volunteers to ensure they can maintain their services.

“It’s fantastic news that the grant has been matched by the city council as well, and I hope the funds will help Eden Valley Hospice to continue delivering the important services and support they provide to local communities across the area.”