The Article is our Ayrshire Hospice newsletter, bringing you inspiring stories, updates, and ways to get involved. It’s our way of keeping in touch and sharing the impact you help make possible.
November 2024 EDITION 38
Glitz and Glam for the Autumn Ball The 22nd annual Ayrshire Hospice Autumn Ball was held at Seamill Hydro in October and raised an incredible £36,268.25 which will go directly towards the provision of care to patients and their families.
Host, Edward Reid, kicked off the night with a bang by performing some well-known classics to get the guests up and dancing before a game of ‘Pass the Pumpkin’ gave guests the chance to win an overnight stay at a RAD Group venue of their choice. Top charity auctioneer and friend of the Ayrshire Hospice, Alex Fleming, then got to work at the auction to help raise as much money as possible for the incredible lots.
The evening was then in the hands of Edward and Angelstar who got everyone off their seats and onto the dancefloor for the rest of the night! The Ayrshire Hospice is extremely grateful for the support of Urquhart Opticians, Seamill Hydro Hotel, Bridgend Motor Group, Loch Lomond Whisky, British Car Auctions, Winton Weddings, Geraldo’s, Jonathan Cartmell Miller Trust,
Cunninghame Floral Arts Club, and EDF and The Kilted DJ, who all gave their generous backing to the event and to everyone who donated a prize to the auctions or raffle. See more images from the night on page 14.
ayrshirehospice.org
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Ayrshire Hospice rocks the vote
By Tracy Flynn, Chief Executive Officer
By Callum Duffy, Senior Fundraiser
As we approach the end of 2024, I am excited to share some significant milestones and reflections with you. Our Capital Build Project is nearing completion, and in the new year, we will return to our beloved home at Racecourse Road. This marks a fresh chapter in our journey of care and compassion, with our Hospice Teams and patients soon back in this cherished space. This issue highlights some of the incredible events and fundraisers from 2024 - our Golf Day, Autumn Ball, Go Purple, and the many inspiring people who ran, swam, baked, danced, and tackled obstacle courses for the Ayrshire Hospice. Your dedication has been truly inspiring and humbling. In clinical care, we’re proud to announce our partnership with Ayrshire College for a new qualification in palliative and end-of-life care. You’ll also read about our grief and bereavement outreach, our Social Workers’ vital role, and the adoption of the ReSPECT process, all of which strengthen our commitment to exceptional care for patients and their families. On the retail front, we’re delighted to offer our beautiful range of Christmas Cards, 2025 diaries, and a special 2025 calendar. This year, over 500 incredible entries were submitted for our calendar competition, and from those, 12 stunning photographs were selected, including the overall winner whose photo graces the front cover of the calendar. We’re excited to continue this community tradition next year. We warmly invite you to our “Light Up a Life Reflection” on the 8th of December at the Auld Kirk in Ayr - a time to honour cherished memories and find solace in shared remembrance. Finally, my deepest thanks to the Ayrshire and Arran community for your unwavering support. May this festive season bring you peace, warmth, and renewed hope for the year ahead. With gratitude, Light up a Life service Building on last year’s event, we look forward to Light Up a Life this year in the Auld Kirk of Ayr, Blackfriars Walk, on Sunday 8 December at 3.00pm. With contributions from the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, and Hospice and school choirs, there will be an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one and fill in a paper star that will later be placed on the Christmas tree at the in-patient unit. Light Up a Life is an event to remember, honour, and acknowledge all that our loved ones meant and mean to us. Tickets are free but attendees must register to ensure their place which can be done via www.ayrshirehospice.org
The Ayrshire Hospice recently took part in South Ayrshire Council’s Participatory Budgeting process. As part of this process, the Ayrshire Hospice requested that the local community in Ayr South and its surrounding villages kindly cast votes in support of the Children and Young Persons Service. We’re delighted to have learnt that through the local community’s endorsement of the Ayrshire Hospice through this process, we successfully secured £3,000. This donation will go towards purchasing additional Worry Dolls and Bereavement Books for the Children and Young Persons Counsellor to provide to young people across Ayrshire and Arran. Children can take these resources home to help them to understand and process their feelings around illness, death, and dying. The Children and Young Persons Service has supported children of various ages through its work, including using the resources we have secured funding for. Many children have reported positive feedback from their experience with the service.
While there are so many quotes that could illustrate the positive impact this work makes, one 7-year-old boy’s description of his counselling sessions sums it up best - they were “banging”. Through the local communities’ support, we will have more books and dolls to give away to the children we support. Your support makes providing this care possible. Thank You!
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November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Counselling and Bereavement
NPA in Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Lasting Legacy
By Alana Stuthers, Head of Governance
By Alison Murray, Counsellor
As part of the arrangements to maintain bereavement support in Ayrshire during the Capital Build Project, the Ayrshire Hospice Counselling Service has been offering a grief and bereavement support outreach clinic on Wednesdays from the Carrick Centre in Maybole.
The Ayrshire Hospice, in partnership with Ayrshire College, is proud to announce the creation of a new qualification: the National Progression Award (NPA) in Palliative and End-of-Life Care at SCQF Level 6.
This initiative was made possible through a generous donation, with the heartfelt aspiration of creating an educational legacy in memory of a loved one.
This qualification is particularly valuable for care home staff, care assistants, personal carers, or anyone aspiring to work in palliative care. As we plan for the upcoming academic year, stay tuned for more information on course dates and enrolment details. This qualification offers a meaningful opportunity to enhance skills and deepen understanding of palliative care, while contributing to a lasting educational legacy.
This service has been running for over a year, providing a confidential space to work with a Hospice counsellor in a comfortable, non- clinical environment. The service is open to adults affected by their own life-limiting illness, as well as friends and family impacted by illness or the death of someone close. The staff at the centre have been incredibly supportive of our work and are very sensitive to the needs of our Hospice clients. The waiting time for an appointment in Maybole is around
2–3 weeks. If you feel this service could benefit you, please contact the team via the self-referral form. I have worked at the Hospice as a counsellor for nearly four years, starting as a volunteer and now as a paid member of staff since December 2022. I am a person- centred therapist, having graduated from Strathclyde University with an MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy in 2020—a career change after a long period in academia. I have lived on the west coast of Scotland for most
Scan the QR code for the self- referral form
The NPA is comprised of three essential units:
• Understanding Loss, Grief & Bereavement • Fundamentals of Palliative Care • Care in the Last Days of Life Delivered in sequence, these units provide learners with crucial knowledge and practical skills to deliver compassionate, person-centred care.
of my adult life and have experienced first-hand the impact of Ayrshire Hospice’s care. I remember creating a career map many years ago, setting a goal to become a counsellor and work with the Ayrshire Hospice - and here I am! The self-referral form for the counselling service can be found here: https://bit.ly/3BCHAkk
Things are looking Rosy at the Ayrshire Hospice
By Lucy Glendinning, Senior Fundraiser At the Ayrshire Hospice, we are proud to be your local provider of exceptional palliative and end- of-life care. Inspired by our roots and community, we’ve created a new in-memory flower to honour loved ones: A Rose to Remember. We’ve once again teamed up with Morrell’s Forge Blacksmiths to bring this vision to life. Each handcrafted rose is made from sustainable copper, designed to change colour over time, making every rose as unique as the person it commemorates. No two roses are the same, just like the memories they represent. Every donation made towards these flowers will help us continue supporting our patients and their families.
You can order your Rose to Remember for collection or delivery by scanning the QR code, visiting ayrshirehospice.org, or contacting the Fundraising Office on 01292 288 488
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Capital Build Project update...
The Role of Social Work in Palliative Care By Nicola Dukes, Social Worker
By Julia Connelly, Capital Build Project Manager
the hospice team, and the social workers play an integral part in this process. Over the past few months, we have been working diligently in partnership with the Local Authority, NHS teams, and advocacy colleagues. The support for this patient was once thought to be too complex to provide in the community. However, through careful planning, organisation, and numerous conversations with the patient and their family, the social work team coordinated a robust care plan that enabled us to fulfil the patient’s wish.
The evolution of the Ayrshire Hospice Racecourse Road site continues. A key milestone was achieved on the 9th September, when the new sub-station was energised, feeding power into the development. The new power supply is essential to the technical commissioning programme, which is fast approaching. Internally, fit-out of patient bedrooms continues with flooring now down, which has enabled the bespoke bedhead joinery to be built in-situ. The aim is to create a homely feel for the patient space, without sacrificing clinical functionality. The bedhead contains lots of storage for the patient, which will be much appreciated. Externally, the private patios are now being clad with the final Rockpanel timber-effect slats, which provide a high-end finish while remaining robust in the face of the west coast weather! We look forward to sharing more as the Project moves towards completion, and the Ayrshire Hospice returns home. PS – and it’s not just our traditional home which has been transformed, our neighbourhood birds and bugs will be delighted to find new accommodation just for them!
This work underscores the vital role that all community
healthcare organisations play in providing quality end-of-life care in collaboration with the hospice team. The hospice social work team advocated for and supported the patient, ensuring their voice was heard and their wishes were met. It is an honour to be invited into one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life and to make it just a little bit better.
Palliative Care Social Workers provide significant value to the lives and outcomes of patients and families experiencing hospice care. Although much of this work occurs behind the scenes and out of the spotlight, the importance of this unique role contributes to the holistic care for which hospices are renowned.
One patient recently highlighted the efforts of the hospice social work team. This individual wished
to receive end-of-life care at home, surrounded by their family. This is one of the key principles of
Donate Your Bottle Today
for the Winter Fair Bottle Stall
Our Winter Fair is back, and with it comes our famous bottle stall on Saturday, 16th November, at Ayr Racecourse—and we want to make it the biggest yet! We welcome any and all bottle donations, from shampoo to champagne! If you’re able to donate a bottle or two, please drop them off at one of our shops or at our Fundraising Office located at 29 Miller Road, Ayr. The office is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. For more information, please call our team on 01292 288 488.
BUG HOTEL
BIRD BOX
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Play our Christmas Super Draw
Sleigh Your Christmas Shopping with Our Festive Range! The Ayrshire Hospice’s Christmas card range is now available in shops and online, so don’t miss the chance to grab your favourite design as they are selling quickly. This year, we offer three unique Ayrshire scenes for you to share with your loved ones: Burns Cottage, Dumfries House, and Kelburn Castle. These designs are exclusive to the Ayrshire Hospice.
The Ayrshire Hospice Christmas Super Draw is back with a bang for 2024, giving you the chance to win a massive £3,000 this December!
There’s a top prize of £3,000 as well as a second prize of £500, a third prize of £100 as well as 70 prizes of £10. A book contains 12 tickets with each one costing £1 – that’s £12 per book and 12 wonderful chances to win.
Tickets are on sale now by calling 01292 288488 or you can enter online at www.ayrshirehospice.org. Players must be 18+ You can also scan the QR Code above for even quicker entry… The closing date for returning paper tickets is 13th December and online entries close at midnight on the 19th. The draw will take place on 20th December… just in time for Christmas!
A record £21,801 was raised at the Ayrshire Hospice’s annual Golf Day at West Kilbride in August this year. With 40 four-ball teams participating, it was a busy day from the first tee to the 18th hole! The day started off with some drizzle but soon brightened up as players made their way around the course. West Kilbride Golf Club served up breakfast and lunch to all the players back at the clubhouse, which went down a treat. Thank you to our sponsors on the day; Kitchens by J S Geddes, Digby Brown Solicitors, George Murphy & Sons, Kilmarnock Hearing Care & Podiatry Clinic, The QTS Group, Solutions on Demand, Amer Sports and A1 Ironmongery & Plastics Ltd. A huge thank you also goes to West Kilbride Golf Club and to all who participated and donated prizes for this event. Fairway to Victory
In addition to our popular diaries for 2025 and notebooks, we are excited to present our annual calendar, showcasing beautiful Ayrshire landscapes. This year’s stunning photographs were captured by talented members of the Ayrshire community.
Living Well Hubs secure Award for All
By Callum Duffy Senior Fundraiser
The Ayrshire Hospice is delighted to have received an award of £18,155 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All program to fund Living Well Hubs from October 2024 until September 2025. The National Lottery sought initiatives that support people to build strong relationships within their communities while directly involving the communities being supported. For the Living Well team, this is precisely what the Hubs aim to achieve.
In addition to providing information sessions on topics that attendees want to learn more about, such as planning well, remembering well, and sleeping well, the Living Well Hubs offer various activities, including puzzles and art, all designed to bring people together Attendees across the Living Well Hubs have reported feeling “empowered” through their experiences, valuing the “company” and “camaraderie” fostered during the sessions. This positive impact is a testament to the work of Ayrshire Hospice and the Living Well Hubs, and it’s a key reason we were successful in securing this award. This support will enable the Living Well Hubs to expand, respond to participant feedback, and build on their success. This may involve adapting the information session programme or reaching out to adjacent community groups to build relationships between different groups.
Available in our shops and at our Fundraising Office at 29 Miller Road, Ayr, you can also scan the QR code to shop online at ayrshirehospice.org
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Pitching it up for the Hospice By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraiser
With over 45 golf courses to choose from, it’s no surprise that Ayrshire hosts numerous fantastic charity golf days, many of which benefit the Ayrshire Hospice.
“You do your best to look after the person, but it’s constant...”
Stewart McKay hosted his annual golf day in memory of his brother Derek, raising an impressive £3,700 this year. Hamish Gaffney from Redburn Golf Club organised a Texas Scramble at Annanhill Golf Course, which raised £3,844. David Bennett held the inaugural Glen Lawlor Golf Day at St. Cuthberts Prestwick Golf Club, raising £909.50. He hopes to make this an annual event, alternating between Scotland and Ireland.
Ladies Captain Margo Simpson selected the Ayrshire Hospice as her charity of the year, raising an amazing £465 from her event at Ballochmyle Golf Club. Another event at Ballochmyle Golf Club was organised by Keith Savory, raising £511 for the Hospice. Many thanks to everyone who supported these events or participated!
Living with and caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with a life shortening and life limiting illness can leave you feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Beyond the initial shock of learning that a loved one will require palliative and end of life care, it can be a physically and emotionally draining time for many.
the patient for a few hours when required and when appropriate. This allows carers the time to enjoy a break, whether that’s meeting a friend for lunch, watching a child or grandchild’s school play, or doing other everyday things that many take for granted. Being able to switch off for a couple of hours, knowing their loved one is in the capable hands of a trained palliative care professional, offers much needed relief. Alec and Nancy found happiness later in life after experiencing great sadness in their younger years, making their time together all the more meaningful. Their journey with the Ayrshire Hospice is one shared by many families across Ayrshire and Arran. As we reflect on and remember loved ones passed during the Light up a Life appeal, you can read more about their story overleaf.
Help our lottery grow By Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager We are currently seeking a Lottery Canvasser to join our existing team, which helps raise over half a million pounds each year for the Ayrshire Hospice.
Nancy’s husband, Alec, was a patient of the Ayrshire Hospice from August 2023 to March 2024. His diagnosis was given as probable lung cancer. Sadly, the disease was not curative and referral to the palliative care team had been made. Many patients known to the Ayrshire Hospice wish for their care to be delivered whilst they remain in their own home and our role as a Hospice care team is to support patients and their families in fulfilling this wish. We are dedicated to putting patients and their families at the heart of all decisions we make. Ensuring a patient is as comfortable as possible, enabling them to live their life as fully as they can, requires a team effort. Clinicians, therapists,
specialist nurses and carers work together to offer this support. Even with such assistance available, providing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a significant undertaking for a loved one. The Ayrshire Hospice recognises this. While supporting the patient, the Hospice also addresses the needs of carers, offering support to help them cope and where possible, make life just a little bit easier. Something as simple as meeting a friend for a coffee can become an enormous challenge when caring for a loved one who may be in the final months or weeks of life. Designed with the carers needs in mind, the ‘respite’ part of the service provides regular support by referring a member of the Hospice team to sit with
In 2023, £529,784.69 was raised from the Ayrshire Hospice Lottery and that amount is raised thanks to the work of a small band who promote the weekly prize draw.
“Personally motivated, knowing that your efforts and drive are making a meaningful and sustainable difference and contributing to the ongoing care and loving support provided by the Hospice.” A Lottery Canvasser will promote the Ayrshire Hospice Lottery and the work of the Hospice to the public. Canvassers can travel throughout Ayrshire, both door-to-door and at various venues/events to sign up members. The working hours of a Lottery Canvasser are flexible and can be agreed with the Hospice Fundraising Team. You’ll be offered a competitive commission rate, and our Fundraising Team will be on hand to support you every step of the way. Anyone interested should contact Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager on 01292 288488 or email ron.swanson@ayrshirehospice.org to apply or for further information.
Current Lottery Canvasser, Ron
Swanson Snr, finds the role extremely rewarding. He said, “The role of an Ayrshire Hospice
Canvasser is stimulating,
motivating and rewarding. It’s a wonderful
opportunity to engage and interact with so many interesting people, whilst sharing the dynamic, life- changing story of the Ayrshire Hospice.
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Nancy’s Story
Alec was born and brought up in the bottom end of Stevenston, and he was very proud of it. He was one of 12 children, two of whom died just after birth, so he grew up as one of 10. It was quite a household. He worked locally at a grocer’s shop, starting as the wee message boy with his bike, and this was where he met his first wife, Margaret. They got married and had their two boys, Jim and Alex. Alec went on to have many jobs, but he was primarily a joiner.
Alec was a long-time member of Moorpark Golf Club, starting off as an ordinary member, then secretary, vice-captain, and eventually club captain. He and I loved going on holidays and playing golf. I had an aunt and uncle in Florida who were also golfers, and we’d go over there for holidays. One time, Alec said, “right Nancy, you’re having a go,” and if I didn’t like it, I could drive the buggy. But I stuck with it for 18 holes and never lost a ball – because I couldn’t hit far enough! So that introduced me to golf, and we would often go down to play at Auchenharvie. I even got a hole-in-one! Alec, in all his years of playing, had never had one, and I liked to remind him of that every so often! He did get me a trophy for it, though. We also loved going to Madeira; it became our home from home. .................... We met in 1998, married in 1999 and were only a couple of months away from our 25th Wedding anniversary on the 21st of May when he died. I think if you were to ask anyone who knew Alec, they’d tell you he was a lovable rogue and a one-off. Alec lived with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for a number of years. Then, in August 2023 he was diagnosed with probable lung cancer, and we were told it would be palliative care. It was just a body blow for all of us because my understanding of palliative care at the time was that it meant the end. I didn’t realise
all the support that was available. A staff member at Crosshouse put us in touch with social work, the Ayrshire Hospice, and various welfare services. Within a week, we had heard from all of them, and that made us feel much more supported. From then on, Stacey, a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, became our family’s point of contact with the Hospice. She would phone or visit to see what was needed, listen to what was wrong, and was absolutely excellent. For Alec, it was all about trying to get his pain under control, although it was never fully successful I would say, it did get better. .................... In early 2024, it reached the point where Stacey suggested Alec come into the Ayrshire Hospice In-Patient Unit (IPU) to evaluate his medicines and try to improve his pain and symptom control. Before this, I’d thought that going into the hospice meant the end. But Stacey always explained everything to us, so when she said Alec would be in for about two weeks, I believed her. Over time, our relationship with Stacey grew, and we trusted her completely. When Alec was in the IPU, the medical team discovered it was his calcium levels causing his discomfort, and they managed to fix that quickly. He started to feel better and immediately wanted to come home. Every time I saw him, he’d say, “I’m coming home
with you.” His desire to be at home never wavered. He did come home after two weeks, and that’s when the Ayrshire Hospice’s Respite and Response team provided support whilst we awaited a package of care - and they were wonderful. They knew exactly what they were dealing with, and that made all the difference. .................... He used to take the mick out of Stacey. He wound everybody up, that was just Alec. He once told Yvonne from the Respite and Response team that she had a big backside – poor Yvonne, only Alec could get away with that! We only had one day of respite, but it was a great experience. Yvonne and Alec spent an afternoon in the garden together. When I came back, Yvonne said they’d learned so much about each other and had “put the world to rights.” That day, I remember asking Yvonne how long I had, and she said, “Until four o’clock,” and it was only 1pm. I thought, “Wow, three hours!” So, my friend and I went out. I don’t even remember what we did, but it was a huge relief to have that time away, knowing someone else was there for Alec. You do your best to care for them, but it’s constant. Everyone else can come and go, but you’re there through the night, still doing everything. It’s 24/7. So, having a break for a few hours really lifted the weight of responsibility.
Alec also received reflexology and complementary therapy from the Ayrshire Hospice team. He loved having therapy to his hands and especially liked the reflexology on his feet. If his chest was hurting, they’d work on his feet, and he’d say he could feel the difference. I still can’t quite work out how it worked, but Alec swore it helped. .................... If you haven’t had direct experience with the Ayrshire Hospice, you don’t realise all the services they offer. But once you’ve been there, you see how caring the community is. You could come home at night knowing that Alec was as comfortable as he could be, and that gave me peace of mind. It allowed me to switch off for a while. .................... There’s such a difference between what you think hospice care is at first and what it actually offers. You think it’s just the end, but what you find is compassion, support, and new pathways when you’re feeling lost. It’s hard to put into words how much that meant to us. We never made it on that final holiday Alec wanted to go on, but in the end, what he really wanted was for the pain to ease - and with the Ayrshire Hospice’s help, we managed to improve that.
Alec’s story isn’t unique. There are so many families like ours across Ayrshire and Arran, facing the uncertainty and heartache of a loved one’s final months. The Ayrshire Hospice was there for us every step of the way, providing care, comfort, and moments of peace when we needed them most.
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Community Medical Update By Jill McKane, Consultant in Palliative Medicine
Since August 2022, a part-time Community Palliative Medicine Consultant has been in post at The Ayrshire Hospice. This has enabled the Hospice to significantly increase the number of face-to-face assessments and to develop the ability to conduct “Near Me” community assessments for patients.
advice by the community medical consultant for Specialist Palliative Care Nurses (SPCN). We have expanded our reach as a medical team, providing care to more rural areas of Ayrshire and collaborating with teams in Glasgow on highly complex cases with positive outcomes, including joint clinical reviews in Glasgow. A key focus has also been on teaching and supporting external professionals, such as District Nursing Teams, GP colleagues, GP Trainees, GP Out of Hours services, Medical Trainees at various levels, and Psychiatry colleagues. We are pleased to announce the development of a GP with Special Interest in Palliative Medicine post, which is now part of the community medical service. This addition increases our weekly clinical sessions from 5 to 9, allowing us to further enhance our responsiveness and impact on patient care while continuing to grow as a team.
Previously, The Ayrshire Hospice carried out approximately 10–20 medical domiciliary visits per year, but this has now risen to 210 face-to-face patient assessments in 2023. As part of this expanded community role, we have also mapped services and developed referral criteria for the community medical service, which has seen the number of people on the medical community caseload more than double in one year, rising from 60 patients in 2022 to 125 patients in 2023. This role has also supported the completion of several community-based quality improvement (QI) projects, including: • A Rural Palliative Care QI Project • An Internal Medicine Trainee Community Palliative Medicine Project • A Medicines Reconciliation QI Project
we have shared our achievements at National Palliative Medicine, NHS, and General Practice conferences. We have also established a community team journal club and developed clinical slots to support the Living Well Hubs. Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings have been introduced to discuss new and complex patients three times a week, with senior medical community involvement as part of a QI project. These meetings also led to the development of improved documentation in patient notes. The The MDT meetings allow for discussions on new patients, complex cases, fast-track referrals to the community medical service, and the provision of routine
Cat Killin, Lead Consultant (left), and Jill McKane, Consultant
• A Deprescribing QI Project
• An Assessment of Need for Subcutaneous PPIs in a Community Setting
• A Clinic Pilot Project
Additionally, we have embarked on research to better understand the complexity of patient care within The Ayrshire Hospice’s community caseload. As a team,
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Lottery Christmas Gifts
By Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager
Why not think about giving friends and family an Ayrshire Hospice Lottery gift voucher this Christmas?
You can enter your loved ones into a fixed number of Hospice lottery draws from Friday 27th December onwards. Vouchers are available at a value of your choice upwards of £10 and can be delivered directly to yourself or the recipient. Each week, they could have the chance to win our top prize of £1,000!!!
It costs £1 per week to take part and your money really makes a difference to us. Please place all orders no later than Tuesday 10th December so they can be posted in time for Christmas.
By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraiser
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Kieran McLaughlin on his challenge of completing seven marathons in seven days!
To order, get in touch on 01292 288488 or email lottery@ayrshirehospice.org
Raising over £8,000 - with more donations still coming in - this remarkable feat brings the incredible Team McLaughlin’s fundraising total to over £60,000 since 2020. As part of Team McLaughlin, Kieran felt it was the right time to take on a physical challenge to give back to the Hospice that provided care for his dad, John. Kieran told us: “The Ayrshire Hospice really was everything in our time of
is that my dad and us as a family wouldn’t have got the little time close together again if it wasn’t for The Ayrshire Hospice.” Not one to do things by half, Kieran chose to run seven marathons in seven days—183.4 miles, to be exact. Surrounded by friends and family, he was never alone on this journey, with pit stops providing food, water, changes of clothes, and plenty of encouragement. From days one to six, he ran from his home in Dundonald to the Hospice’s gates on Racecourse Road and back home again to “dook” in an ice bath. The first few days were tough, but as the week progressed, smiles and laughter began to appear. On day seven, Kieran chose to start and finish at the Ayrshire Hospice site. Despite unkind weather, he pushed through the pain and completed the miles. With rain pouring down, he was met with the biggest cheer at the finish line from his friends and family.
Players must be 18+
The Ayrshire Hospice, in collaboration with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, has adopted the use of the ReSPECT document. ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment, a process developed by the Resuscitation Council UK to encourage individuals to discuss what matters most to them and the level of intervention they would prefer. ReSPECT
Staff at the hospice have undergone additional training to assist with the ReSPECT process, and several patients
have completed the process with Hospice staff. The following quotes are from individuals who have gone through the ReSPECT process with the support of the Hospice team: .................................... “I feel much more confident that if anything were to happen to me, all medical staff would have easy access to my wishes for future care.” .................................... “By being supported by hospice staff to complete the ReSPECT document, I was able to see my choices much more clearly.”
need. I sometimes struggle to accept a lot of things that went on during that time, but one thing for sure
Through conversations between the individual, those important to them, and their healthcare professionals, a personal document is created to reflect the individual’s priorities and preferences for the level of treatment they would want in an emergency situation. This could include whether resuscitation should be attempted if the person’s heart or breathing were to stop, but the form covers much more than this. It also outlines what is important to the individual, what they would like to avoid, and who their next of kin is.
The document is held digitally and can be accessed by all healthcare professionals as needed, such as out-of-hours GPs and paramedics. Although the form is not legally binding, it can be updated at any time to reflect changes in the individual’s circumstances. The ReSPECT process is suitable for anyone but is particularly relevant to those with complex health needs, people approaching the end of life, and those at risk of sudden deterioration or cardiac arrest.
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The Cumbrae Trek Four raises over £17k
By Claire Stuart-Paulin
With the sun shining and the sea calm, a team of 74 walkers queued early in the morning for the boat to the Isle of Cumbrae on 7th September.
As the sponsor money added up and excitement built for the total to be announced, participants were thrilled to learn that PTS Water Services had pledged to match-fund the amount! Thanks to this incredible generosity, the total raised skyrocketed to £17,274! A heartfelt thank you goes to Gemma and Katie for their hard work and commitment to the Hospice, to everyone who joined them on the walk, and to those who fundraised and gave so generously. And, of course, we must extend a massive thank you to PTS Water Services. What a wonderful community we have!
For the fourth consecutive year, organisers Gemma and Katie Reikie gathered everyone together for their annual Trek around Cumbrae. Many participants had walked the 10-mile route before, but each year the event has grown, with quite a few taking on the challenge for the first time. Everyone is free to walk at their own pace, but the sea of purple Ayrshire Hospice t-shirts is unmissable as they make their way along the coast, meeting up at Fintry Bay for refreshments.
Lisa’s reached her £10,000 target!
River Ayr Walk - the return leg
By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraiser
Earlier this year, after hosting a highly successful tribute act night, Lisa smashed through her fundraising target of £10,000 for the Hospice. Lisa’s mum, Karen, had used hospice services several times for respite during her battle with MND. Lisa has long supported the Ayrshire Hospice, but since losing her mum, her fundraising efforts have increased. She has hosted various
By Claire Stuart-Paulin
Last year when Craig Burns popped into the fundraising office to
say he was organising a 44-mile walk from Ayr beach to Glenbuck, we presumed he meant over a weekend. But no, the challenge was to be completed in one day! After the success of last year’s event, when 44 walkers completed the challenge and raised £15,907.00, Craig decided to organise a return leg, from Glenbuck to Ayr. So, on Saturday 8th June, 81 walkers set off at 5am from Glenbuck and made their way to the lighthouse at Ayr Beach. There were lots of blisters and a few
events, participated in multiple memory walks, organised bonus balls and raffles, completed the Kiltwalk, and generously donated numerous PartyLite candles during COVID for our Light up a Life boxes. Reaching the £10,000 milestone was Lisa’s goal, and we are incredibly grateful to her and everyone who has supported her along the way.
sore hips but they did it - raising a phenomenal £20,583.00! Thank you so much to everyone who helped raise this extraordinary amount and to all the walkers, volunteers, and businesses who sponsored and supported along the route. And of course, a massive thank you to the wonderful Craig Burns for organising, co-ordinating and walking!
Keep an eye out for what she does next - she’s not finished yet!
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Christmas Baubles are Back for 2024
Ayrshire
goes Purple
The Ayrshire Hospice is delighted to introduce its latest limited-edition personalised Christmas baubles. Each bauble is carefully crafted and personalised with a name of your choice. Create a gift for someone special, remember a loved one, or treat yourself to a new decoration. Donating towards a Christmas bauble is not only a gesture of kindness to the Hospice, but also our planet – our baubles and their packaging are plastic-free and sustainable. The baubles are priced at £15 each, including packaging and delivery straight to your door in time for Christmas.
Go to www.ayrshirehospice.org or scan the QR code below to complete your order. Please note that it will take up to 7 days from placing your order to receiving your bauble, and, due to the size of the ornaments, we can only fit up to 25 characters of personalisation on the decoration.
This year’s popular Go Purple Day returned bigger than ever on Friday, 11th October! Our dedicated and amazing supporters embraced the spirit of the day, organising coffee mornings, dress- down days, and much more to turn their world purple in support of the Hospice. Local businesses also joined in the Go Purple fun, offering limited-edition purple-themed treats, hosting quiz nights, and organising raffles. It was heart- warming to see everyone come together and go all out to make the day special. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who got involved - staff, volunteers, and supporters alike. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and love for the Hospice are truly inspiring. It was a momentous day!
The last day for orders will be the Thursday 12th December so that your bauble will arrive in time for Christmas. Alternatively, please call the fundraising office on 01292 288 488
LOTTERY WINNERS Congratulations to all our recent lottery
You could be the next winner like Dawn or Stephen - simply join our lottery today at www.ayrshirehospice. org or scan the QR code.
winners including Dawn Webster who won the jackpot prize of £2,024 in our Summer Draw.
And well done also to Stephen Boyle who won the top prize of £1,000 in
our weekly draw – Stephen has recently become a dad to a baby boy, so the win was most welcome!
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Celebration Tree to Return to Hospice
Scan the QR code to purchase the 2025 Ayrshire Hospice Calendar
We were delighted to catch up with Claudia, the designer of the Celebration Tree, as we celebrated the fifth anniversary of its installation on the 29th of August. Claudia not only designed the Tree but also carefully inscribes all of our new dedications – thank you, Claudia! The Tree is currently located at The Portal in Irvine while the Capital Build Project nears completion. Although we look forward to its return to the Ayrshire Hospice on Racecourse Road in Ayr, we are extremely grateful to The Portal for housing it in the meantime. The Tree is free to visit during The Portal’s opening hours. Since 2019, more than 100 leaves have been engraved and installed on the Tree, each one celebrating the lives and memories of people across Ayrshire and Arran. The Tree has also raised over £12,000 for patient care.
Calendar Competition Returns with a Bang!
For more information about the Celebration Tree, or to purchase a leaf, please visit the Appeals section of www.ayrshirehospice.org or call 01292 288 488.
The return of the Ayrshire Hospice Calendar Competition has seen its biggest-ever response, capturing Ayrshire at its beautiful best.
photographers whose shots were selected, and a special thank you to Robert from Vennal Cameras, who has continued to support the Hospice by sponsoring the competition.” .................... Roy’s winning image will feature on the front cover of the 2025 Ayrshire Hospice Calendar, which is now available to purchase in Hospice shops , the Fundraising Office in Miller Road, Ayr and online at ayrshirehospice.org. Roy will also receive a £150 voucher from Vennal Cameras, who have been long-time supporters of the calendar. We are excited to reveal that the theme for next year’s competition is Secret Ayrshire. The challenge will be to capture something or somewhere lesser known compared to other popular Ayrshire landmarks or destinations. Full details will be announced in the new year.
Back for the first time in four years, the competition received over 500 entries, which our judging panel carefully whittled down to a final 12.
The overall winning image was selected by the patients of our Living Well Hubs, who chose Roy Smith’s Bridges of Alloway as the top shot.
In August, members of staff from the Fundraising Team and volunteers spent two days at the Ayr & District Flower Show. The team enjoyed speaking to the public about our services and exciting Capital Build Project. The support they received over the weekend raised an incredible £207.38 towards our patients’ care. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of the Flower Show Committee – thank you again for having us!
Alan Cameron, Ayrshire Hospice Communications Officer, said: “Congratulations to Roy on his winning image taken in Alloway. .................... “We were delighted with the response to this year’s competition, with so many fantastic entries. Our judging panel certainly had their work cut out in selecting the final 12 images for the 2025 calendar. “A massive congratulations to all the
Calendar competition winner, Roy Smith, with Ayrshire Hospice E-commerce partner, Stephen Harper.
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Going the
Nikki Swims the English Channel and Raises £6,325
By Claire Stuart-Paulin
For the Ayrshire Hospice
Our wonderful supporters have taken on many incredible physical challenges over the years, but to the best of our knowledge, no one has ever swum the English Channel for us - until now.
..with special guest hosts
A spectacular fundraising
Ayrshire Hospice. I really hope I made my Gran proud. I had the best day, even if the outcome wasn’t what I hoped for, and I can’t wait to give it another go. When life gets you down, just keep swimming!” A huge thank you to Nikki Young, her family, and her support team. The final total raised was an incredible £6,325, and we are extremely proud of Nikki’s achievement.
Nikki Young’s inspiration for this remarkable challenge was her Gran Green, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2022. It was her Gran who introduced her to swimming, and she continued to swim even in her final weeks of life. The love, commitment, and passion her Gran had for swimming left a positive and lasting influence on Nikki, and she felt it was only fitting to attempt the Channel swim in her Gran’s memory. After many months of training and preparation, Nikki was ready to face the challenge on Saturday, 29th June. With her family and support team behind her, she set off at first light, beginning the 22-mile open- water swim. Unfortunately, the currents were not in her favour, pushing her off course. After swimming an incredible 33 miles, the decision
was made to abort the swim just 2 miles off the coast of France. Although she didn’t reach the shores of France, in our eyes, she more than completed the challenge. We caught up with Nikki after she had a chance to recover and asked her about the highlights of her journey. She said a fond memory was her mum telling her to “just keep swimming” before she set off. Another was seeing her sister and the boat crew dancing the slosh to keep her motivated. She also chuckles when recalling how she accidentally hit the Channel Swimming Association official with a cup full of food and finds it amusing watching video footage of herself ‘racing’ the P&O ferry to France. It was quite an adventure! Nikki said: “I am so overwhelmed with the support and the amount we managed to raise for the
9th February 2025 The Gaiety Theatre 7:30pm Gaiety Box Office 01292 288235 www.thegaiety.co.uk
with a twist...
A Western twist By Claire Stuart-Paulin When Anne and Willie Gilbert were discussing how to commemorate their 30th wedding anniversary back in August, they decided to turn their celebrations into a charity fundraiser – and raised over £4,000 for the Ayrshire Hospice .
Living on a farm, a Western theme was top choice, and soon the barn clear out was well underway. Anne was blown away by the generosity of local businesses when she was gathering prizes and secured some top-notch donations for the raffle. Friends and family embraced the theme with a wide variety of Western costumes and a hootin’ tootin’ evening was had by all. Anne, who has been fundraising and volunteering for the Hospice for many years, was overjoyed by the amount raised. She popped by the fundraising office with a donation of £4,108.00, along with her daughter, Ellis, and a few friends who had helped with the event.
We want to learn more about how you feel about making or updating Wills and leaving a gift in your Will to charity.
Can you help?
By taking the time to complete this short survey, you’ll be helping us improve our knowledge base to better inform our community about legacies and how important they are to the Ayrshire Hospice.
Scan the QR code, go to https://bit.ly/404R7uE, or contact the fundraising office on 01292 288 488 to request a paper version of the survey.
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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Meet Yvonne : A Familiar Face at the Crown Street Shop
RETAIL DETAIL
Thank you to all of our amazing Community Fundraisers
Celebrating Margaret : 29 Years of Dedication and a 90th Birthday!
Yvonne has been a dedicated volunteer at the Ayrshire Hospice Crown Street shop since 2017. Originally from Sabah, Malaysia, she moved to the UK in 1989 as a teenager to study. After completing her education, Yvonne lived in London for many years but decided to relocate to Ayr in 2016 to be closer to her brother and his family. After a year of settling in, Yvonne felt the desire to give back to the community she had grown to love. Volunteering at the Ayrshire Hospice shop seemed like the perfect opportunity to support a cause she cared about, while contributing to the local area. Since then, she has become a familiar and friendly face to both customers and fellow volunteers, forming strong connections along the way.
David Paterson Jim Higgins Laura MacPherson A night of Jazz and Swing June 2024 £2,708.00 ..................... Penny Brown In lieu of gifts - Silver Wedding Anniversary June 2024 £395.00 ..................... John and Morag Weir Golden Wedding Anniversary June 2024 £61.20 .....................
Blair Gymkhana Blair Gymkhana
Allan Leckey Charity Night at Morris Equestrian Centre
Abbie Russell Cycling 14miles from Kilmarnock - Irvine return August 2024 £1,540.00 ..................... Joesphine Telega Garden Party at her home August 2024 £585.00 ..................... Anne Gilbert The Wild West Party night August 2024 £4,108.00 ..................... Rohan and Evan Campbell
June 2024 £1,250.00
July 2024 £2,235.00
Fiona and Robbie Baird Scotlands Garden Scheme Dalhowan Farm June 2024 £527.58 ..................... Mrs Shirley Scott In lieu of gifts - 88th Birthday Celebration July 2024 £275.00 ..................... Louise Shaw 80’s Charity Night - Caprington Golf Club July 2024 £2,066.35 ..................... Amy Fraser Core Fit Ladies - Battle Cancer Event
..................... Ardrossan Outdoor
Bowling Club Hospice Triples
Sparkle and
July 2024 £1,500.00 ..................... Georgina Cope Bingo Night - Thistle Inn, Whitletts July 2024 £803.00 ..................... Helen Gilmour West Highland Way with friends and family July 2024 £958.48 ..................... Graeme Carenduff Running West Highland Way in 24hrs August 2024 £1,295.00 ..................... Donna Marie White Survival in the Wild August 2024 £285.00
Shine this Christmas with Pre-Loved Finds! Looking for that show-stopping party outfit? Then look no further than the Ayrshire Hospice shops, which are brimming with pre-loved gems just waiting for you to snap up! With the Christmas party season fast approaching, you’re sure to find the perfect look to ensure you shine at any event by visiting one of the Hospice shops across Ayrshire. This festive season, make it pre-loved!
Abbie Scott Ben Lomond
Loch Ness 7k August 2024 £640.00
June 2024 £2,480.00 ..................... Chris Reid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 24 Hour Rollathon The Musashi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team
..................... Sheila Robertson Birthday Fundraiser August 2024 £300.00 ..................... Scott Gibson Triathlon - New Cumnock August 2024 £676.05
On 9th August, the Ayrshire Hospice Kilmarnock shop celebrated a remarkable milestone: beloved volunteer Margaret turned 90 years old! Since joining the Hospice on 1st June 1995, Margaret has dedicated an impressive 29 years and 4 months to supporting its purpose. To honour her special birthday, the team held a tea party with cake and flowers, a small gesture to show appreciation for her incredible service. Margaret continues to work as hard now as she did when she first started, embodying the true spirit of volunteering. Her passion and work ethic have made her an icon in the shop and an inspiration to everyone around her. The Ayrshire Hospice is immensely grateful to have Margaret as part of the Kilmarnock team.
July 2024 £1,053.00
June 2024 £3,525.00
If you’d like to fundraise for the Ayrshire Hospice and receive your free fundraising pack and purple t-shirt , we’d love to hear from you! Call us on 01292 288 488 or email community@ayrshirehospice.org If you don’t see your community fundraiser listed here, you will be featured in a future issue of The Article.
Yvonne’s dedication to the Hospice extends beyond her shop work. She is also a member of the Ayr Choral Union, a charity partner of the Ayrshire Hospice. Through her involvement with the choir, she continues to help raise funds for patient care, even outside her volunteering hours. Yvonne highly recommends volunteering with the Hospice, as she has met many wonderful people while giving back to the community. Her dedication is truly appreciated, and we are incredibly grateful for all she does. If Yvonne’s story inspires you, why not join us and become a volunteer too?
Scan the QR code to Volunteer!
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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