Hospice needs public to help plug cash shortfall

TRUSTEES of a Swansea hospice have revealed they have a funding shortfall of �250,000.

They say it's been a struggle to ensure Ty Olwen's cash pot is filled with three years' worth of funding to meet the needs of terminally-ill patients.

If the hospice, based within Morriston Hospital, is not thrown a financial lifeline of public donations then trustees have warned it will have a knock-on effect on funding projects in the future.

Paul Murray, vice-chairman of the Ty Olwen Trust, said: "We need to dispel the myth that Ty Olwen has plenty of money — it does not."

Mr Murray said the competition from national charities along with the economic climate had caused an impact.

"At the moment we are still a year short — we are �250,000 down from where we would like to be," he added.

"The objective of the Ty Olwen Trust is to supplement Ty Olwen over and above what the health authority provides, which is what makes hospice care unique.

"We intend to have three years' worth of money in the pot at any one time — so we are always working to get the income for the third year."

Currently, the hospice, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has around �560,000 in its funding pot — but thousands of pounds have already been committed to projects for the facility.

Over the past three decades, more than �6 million has been raised thanks to the public's generous support.

An army of around 84 volunteers are crucial to the running of Ty Olwen.

Secretary Helen Murray said: "No request for funding has ever been turned down in 30 years."

Mr Murray said of the financial situation: "It would not impact immediately, it's something that is reviewed meeting by meeting and could have an impact in a couple of years' time on funding schemes."

Ty Olwen's main sources of funding are legacies and donations.

Anyone wishing to help should send cheques to the Ty Olwen Trust c/o Margaret Bartlett, 101 Derwen Fawr Road, Sketty, SA2 8DR or go to www.justgiving. com and look up Ty Olwen.

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk

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