Farnham charity raises £380,000 in a 36-hour crowdfunding event.

Phyllis Tuckwell launched a public appeal to help raise the remaining the remaining £3 million it needs to build its new hospice.

The Bank Holiday weekend saw hundreds of residents and fundraisers respond to the charity plea, raising £380,000 in just 36 hours.

Phyllis Tuckwell Fundraise Claire McDonald said: “If hundreds of local residents can support this appeal, and everyone contributes a little, Phyllis Tuckwell can build this urgently needed Hospice for our community.”

The hospice urgently needs the help of residents, trusts, companies and community groups to help us raise the additional funds needed to make it happen. 

The hospice must raise £3 million this year in addition to the £9 million they have to raise every year, in order to continue its vital services.

Facebook Groups online also helped raise money for the charity with more than £5000 raised by 75 donors directly through the Farnham Rants link in the 36 hours.

Farnham Rants Admin Lee Moran said: “This wonderful charity supported me and my family through tough times. I’d love to think that by coming together our online community can be a force for good, and help build the new Hospice”

Residents in Farnham supported the appeal such as resident Nina who wants the facility built for her, and her loved ones should they ever need to use Phyllis Tuckwell’s services.

Nina said “I’m hoping I never need to use your services, but I’ll be glad you’re there if ever I do”.

Phyllis Tuckwell is not receiving any government or NHS funding to build the Hospice which is why they rely upon sufficient funding from events and donations.

Whilst the new hospice is being built the charity is continuing to offer people their full range of services from a variety of locations in Surrey and Hampshire. 

All money raised will be going towards funding the new state-of-the-art Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice or providing support for patients and families. The hospice will include rehabilitation and therapy suites and a specialist 18-bedded In-Patient Unit that will house hundreds of palliative care professionals including doctors, nurses and specialist clinicians. The new hospice will allow the charity to support a community of over 550,000 residents across West Surrey and North East Hants.

Construction began on the new hospice on May 1 2024 with the Charity hoping that the new facility will be completed by the end of 2025 so that they can open its door to its first patient in early 2026.  

Chief Executive of Phyllis Tuckwell Sarah Church said: “As a result, thousands more local people, just like you and your loves ones, will receive the end-of-life care you will need and deserve.”

The appeal will be seen a lot over the coming months and is centred around the theme “It’s not our Hospice – it's YOURS. Because it’s for you, and everyone in the local area.”

Phyllis Tuckwell’s fundraising efforts will continue with the next event the “walk for the wards” on June 16.