One week left to help with Overgate's Leap Year Appeal

Overgate Hospice has been a beacon of hope for the Calderdale community for nearly 40 years.

But each day of care at the Elland hospice costs a staggering £11,600.

With 2020 being a leap year, the hospice needs to fund an additional day’s care on February 29.

The Halifax Courier has been working with hospice to help spread the word.

We caught up with Rachel Lumb, Overgate’s Challenge and Event Fundraiser.

As well as organising countless fundraisers and events, Rachel has been leading by example. In September last year she decided to take on not one, but two huge leaps to support Overgate. She did a sponsored sky dive, jumping out of a plane from 10,000 feet in the sky. She also braved a 160 feet bungee jump in the hospice grounds.

“I wouldn’t expect anyone to do anything for Overgate that I wouldn’t do myself.

“They were both incredible experiences and I’d encourage anyone to give it a go,” she added.

A few years ago Rachel lost two loved ones at Overgate. After they passed away, her family decided to rally together and managed to fundraise an incredible £17,000 for the hospice.

“I think many people think the hospice is a place of sadness. Whilst there are many sad moments, it is a place filled with laughter and life. It really is about making each moment count. I know how much difference the specialist care provided can make to patients and their families.

“This is our local hospice and it can’t continue to care for local people without our support. We need to ensure that Overgate is here to care for our community for years to come.”

Rachel believes that Overgate’s events have allowed her to remember the happy and special times with her loved ones.

“Grief is different for everyone. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about what you’ve lost, but we try to help people to remember loved ones for the happy times and what they gave them in life. I think our events really help people to do that.

“A fun event like the colour run helps you remember the daft, funny moments but then something like the midnight walk helps people reflect and appreciate loved ones. Lots of people want to give something back to the hospice when a loved one passes away and are able turn something sad into something amazing.”

Can you help Overgate?

Overgate Hospice provides invaluable palliative care for our community, making sure our loved ones’ final moments are comfortable, dignified and safe.

This care is given 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, as 2020 is a leap year, Overgate will be providing care for 366 days, meaning they need to find an extra £11,600 to cover the additional day’s costs for Saturday February 29.

Staff nurse Carmel Newton said: “We couldn’t do our job without the support the hospice receives. It’s so important that this care is available to people in Calderdale when they need it most.”

Each hour of care at the Elland hospice costs £483.

“Every minute does make a difference and even the smallest gesture can mean so much.

“Our Leap Year Appeal makes us think about what we will do with that extra day. We will be making sure that our patients spend the extra day surrounded by loving care,” said Carmel.

* A justgiving page is running for the appeal.

To donate please click here.