A PROJECT to provide a suite for end of life care at Dorset County Hospital and support bereaved families is a step closer following a welcome donation.
Members of four Lions clubs from across Dorset came together to raise £2,000 between them for the Gully’s Place project.
The fundraising initiative is a joint project between Dorset County Hospital and Poole Hospital and the main aim is to develop a suite of rooms at the Kingfisher Ward at the Dorchester Hospital for end of life care for children as well as providing a place where children with complex or palliative care needs to stay before being discharged home. The suite is named after dance teacher Diane Gulliford, who has fundraised tirelessly to support the project Zone chairman for the Lions Peter Oswick was joined by the presidents and other members from across the four Dorset clubs – Blackmore Vale, Dorchester and District, Weymouth and Portland and Bridport to present the cheque to Allison Ryder lead nurse in paediatrics at Dorset County Hospital.
He explained that the Lions has a zone project once a year where the four clubs choose a local cause to donate £500 each and this year they decided to support Gully’s Place after listening to a talk about the project.
Mr Oswick said: “We were very impressed with Gully’s Place and decided that was what we wanted to raise the money for because it’s right in the middle of our patch.”
He added that the funds would go towards the building project and providing beds for the facility.
Allison Ryder said: “This is on top of NHS care and hospice care and it’s about bringing the two together and bringing that gold standard of service.
“It is effectively working on what is already in place and improving it.”
Gully’s Place will also be the main beneficiary of the Dorchester and District Lions Club’s annual fun run on Sunday, May 10. For more information on how to support the project call 01202 448449 or email: [email protected]
Details are also available at poole.nhs.uk/fundraising and donations can be made online at justgiving.com/gullysplace