\n The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Bellahouston Park is hoping \u201cthe local community\u201d will support its Vital Care Appeal.\n<\/p>\n
\n Chief Executive Rhona Baillie said: \u201cWe provide free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to 1200 new patients and their families each year, both at the hospice at Bellahouston Park and in patients\u2019 own homes.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing everything we can to keep our costs to a minimum. We run our services efficiently, we\u2019re innovating with our fundraising, and we make every pound count.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBut despite our efforts, a significant funding gap remains.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n (Image: Colin Mearns\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n The hospice is predicting a \u00a3755,000 shortfall in funding, citing the rise in demand for its services, patients\u2019 more complex needs and rising costs as the main pressures.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ms Baillie said that \u201cwith local government funding just 30 per cent of running the hospice, the remaining 70 per cent comes from fundraising and donations\u201d and added: \u201cWe\u2019re not in crisis yet, but we need to act and that\u2019s why we are turning to our friends in the community for help.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Kirsty with her dad, Robert (Image: PPWH)\n<\/p>\n
\n Kirsty Dolan, 22, is supporting the appeal following the death of her dad, Robert, in the hospice in 2021.\n<\/p>\n
\n Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was 48 and Kirsty, who was only 10 at the time, along with her mum and older sister, became carers for him.\n<\/p>\n
\n In 2021, he visited the hospital for inpatient care.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHe had developed supranuclear palsy and needed specialist care,\u201d said Kirsty. \u201cHe was in the IPU for about a week where he just received the very best care you could imagine.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe got to spend as much time with him as we could, and we even got to bring our dogs in for a visit. When he was nearing the end of his life, we all stayed over at the hospice in the family rooms so we could be close.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Kirsty also received support from the hospice\u2019s Family Support Service.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI was really struggling,\u201d she said. \u201cI was at breaking point. I emailed the hospice and the Family Support Service got in touch \u2013 and I have to say, it changed my life.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The team worked with me over a period of time and just helped me see things differently.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201c It really was a lifeline, and I needed that support so much.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Glasgow Times readers helped raise the \u00a321m needed for the new hospice, which opened in 2018,\u00a0through our Brick by Brick Appeal.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n