Christmas comes early for Alice House
When long term supporter Sheila Armstrong of Peterlee won the Alice House Hospice spring raffle top prize of £2,000, she knew immediately how she was going to spend the bulk of her winnings.
On 17th July, Sheila (aged 91) made Christmas come early to Alice House when she visited with her niece Rosemary and Rosemary’s husband Don to present a whole range of much-needed equipment costing over £1300.
Sheila’s long list of gifts reads almost like the “12 days of Christmas” – 10 Dementia wall clocks, 5 Dementia bedside clocks, 3 bath slings, 2 pressure-relieving cushions and a folding bed and mattress.
Clinical Lead, Paula Tempest who helped choose the items said “We are overwhelmed with Shelia’s generosity. We always have a long “wish list” of things which we’d love to buy but just can’t afford. Sheila’s gifts will help make life a little easier for our patients and the folding bed will be a boon to friends and family members wishing to stay with their loved one.”
It’s not the first time Sheila has helped Alice House – she previously donated handmade blankets and when her beloved husband Bobby died, she donated the proceeds of his funeral collection though he had not been a patient.
During their visit, Sheila and her family looked around Alice House and tucked into some delicious homemade cream scones in the recently refurbished bistro (which is open to visitors). They were very impressed with the facilities and wide range of services on offer to patients and their families and the warm, friendly staff who make all patients and visitors feel welcome and at ease. They enjoyed their scones so much they bought some to take home!
On leaving, Sheila promised to visit Alice House again and said “I think the Hospice is a wonderful place – a real home from home – everyone is so kind and caring. I’m proud to offer what support I can”
Anita White of the Fundraising Team said “It was a real pleasure and a privilege to meet Sheila and her family. Sheila is a lovely, caring lady and typical of our supporters whose generosity never fails to amaze me. Thank you so much, Sheila, from everyone at Alice House.”