The Rowans Hospice wins regional charity award

15 October 12

The Rowans Hospice, which provides vital services for people living with life-limiting illnesses in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, was awarded ‘Charity of the Year’ at the Wessex Charity Awards held in Winchester Guildhall.

The award recognises the hard work from staff and volunteers who have managed to maintain and further raise the profile of The Rowans Hospice with the public who in turn have risen to the challenge of maintaining charitable income despite the economic recession. The Hospice has demonstrated diversification of innovative activities for both young and old to generate awareness and engage the public and led to the attainment of the award at the gala ceremony held on the 11^th October 2012 organised by Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Examples of innovation include the development of the Dorothy's Dream Campaign to raise £1 million for a pilot Hospice at Home service, which in its first year of operation delivered hands-on nursing care to over 300 people, and their families, who wish to spend their final days of life at home. Other initiatives include the development of a children's moonlit walk, oversees challenge events and growth of The Rowans Hospice Trading Company, which has opened four new shops in the last 12 months with the aim of building sustainable income for the Hospice.

In her acceptance speech, Ruth White, Chief Executive of The Rowans Hospice, said: "I am truly humbled to be amongst such amazing charities that are doing great work in our area and I would like to thank my fantastic team at The Rowans Hospice. However this success would not be possible without the support we receive from our local community and from the generosity of the people we serve, without whom we could not continue to provide this free service and the level of care we have now been recognised for in receiving such a prestigious award. Thank you."

The Rowans Hospice received an engraved award, certificate and a cash donation of £500.

Picture copyright Burlison Photography www.burlisonphotography.co.uk

View the short DVD produced by Sweet TV Ltd for Charisma Charity Recruitment when The Rowans Hospice was selected as a finalist in the 2012 Wessex Charity Awards: http://youtu.be/bDa9JSuPUuA