Coronavirus: St Peter & St James Hospice cancels upcoming fundraising events

All events planned up to the end of June, including the much-anticipated Sussex Open Gardens trails, will no longer go ahead, the hospice has confirmed.

The gardens trails event, which raised £38,000 from across the county last year, was due to take place from April to June this year.

Profits from the event contribute towards the running of vital hospice services, including its inpatient ward, wellbeing services and specialist advice and support in people’s own homes.

Carol Hughes, community events fundraiser at the hospice, said, “We are incredibly disappointed to be cancelling these events, but the health and wellbeing of our patients, their families, our staff, volunteers and supporters is our top priority at this time.

“Naturally, the cancellation of the Open Gardens season, as well as other fundraising events, will cause us an unprecedented reduction in income.

“Now, more than ever, community support is vital to the hospice, so we will rely more heavily on donations over the coming months.

“If you can, please do donate to us. Anything you can give will help to support local families living with terminal illness.”

St Peter & St James Hospice in North Chailey, Lewes, provides expert and compassionate care to adults living with terminal illness in Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Lewes and Uckfield.

Katie Derham, patron and spokesman for the open gardens event, said: “I am sad to hear that the garden trails will not go ahead this year due to necessary Coronavirus precautions. 

“The Open Gardens are a highlight of the charity’s calendar and generate substantial funds for the hospice’s valuable work. 

“It is essential that we all continue to support the charity so instead of visiting a garden this year it would be great if people could make a financial contribution towards the charity. 

“If you are able to help, please do.”

Toby Whittome, co-director at Jackson Stops Mid Sussex, sponsor of the open gardens event, said it was a shame that the ‘wonderful community event’ will not happen this year.

He added: “We were delighted to be able to support the charity, which means so much to us and we will be back on-board next year, when we hope the event will be hugely successful.”