Local hospice at home charity, Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, is today celebrating after being awarded £92,248 in National Lottery funding to support its work with end of life patients, families and carers.

The charity, delivering end of life care services across Pembrokeshire, will use the cash to fund the delivery of hands-on home nursing care in the community.

Additionally, they will also be able to purchase four new specialist profiling bed frames and pressure relieving mattresses directly in the homes of patients living at the end of life in Pembrokeshire.

The running costs for the hands of care and equipment loan services is £625,000 a year and the 15 per cent contribution is a welcome gift during the Covid-19 pandemic when income has been effected by shop, community fundraising and event closures.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has been established since 1982, is run by 75 staff members (in clinical and income generation), around 400 volunteers, 45 voting members and 10 dedicated trustees.

It was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much loved local priest, who recognised a need for hospice care, but unfortunately died of cancer at the age of 39, in 1980.

The Foundation was set up in his memory and provides care to people with any or no faith, and is free of charge.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provide a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness, including hands-on home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, under 18’s anticipatory grief and bereavement support, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will enable the charity to meet an increased demand for end of life care at home, through the purchase of additional specialist equipment and funding support for the equipment loan scheme and the existing team of Community Nursing Assistants.

The project will facilitate Hospital discharge for end of life patients, freeing up beds in hospitals and providing support for vulnerable individuals who are at high risk from Covid19.

Support for end of life patients, families and carers will be provided throughout Pembrokeshire.

Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.