Businesses and supporters across Milton Keynes have a fresh opportunity to maximise their impact this week, as donations to Willen Hospice are being doubled through the national Big Give Christmas Challenge. The matched-funding campaign, which runs from 2–9 December, enables every donation made via the Big Give website to go twice as far at no additional cost to donors.
Willen Hospice aims to raise £32,500 during the campaign. Matched by funders, this will reach a total of £65,000 — a significant boost for the organisation’s specialist palliative and end-of-life care. The hospice provides vital support for people living with life-limiting illnesses across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, and demand for its services continues to grow.
As a registered charity, the hospice must secure £9.6 million each year to deliver its care. Corporate partners, community supporters and charitable foundations play a central role in helping Willen Hospice meet this target. This year’s Big Give campaign offers businesses a high-impact way to engage in seasonal giving, employee fundraising or matched corporate donations.
Families supported by Willen Hospice see first-hand the difference this care makes. Michelle, who stayed in the In-Patient Unit last Christmas, received compassionate support in her final days. Her mother Amanda said the experience gave the family time and space to say goodbye. “It’s terrible losing a child at any age, but I’ve lost a child who was 42 – a mum of three children who are grieving. And Michelle lost her future. She was wanting to be a nanna to her grandchildren,” she said.
Amanda added that Willen Hospice played a central role in supporting the entire family. “Because of Willen Hospice, Michelle had a peaceful death. She was pain-free. The Hospice gave Michelle and our family quality time to tie up loose ends and to say goodbye. We met wonderful staff and volunteers there. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for us. We felt so looked after, and I know that none of it would have been possible without the amazing support the Hospice receives from the local community. We owe Willen and its supporters an awful lot.”
The matched funding available through the Big Give Christmas Challenge has been made possible through pledgers and foundations committed to supporting local care provision. Willen Hospice has also thanked everyone who has contributed to its Christmas appeal so far, noting that early donations help secure essential funding before the end of the year.
Donations will be doubled until midday on Tuesday 9 December, or until the matched funding pot is fully used. Businesses and individuals wishing to take part can visit www.willen-hospice.org.uk/christmas or search ‘Willen Hospice Big Give’.
