Vantis, the UK top 13 accounting, tax and business advisory group, this week presented Eltham charity Demelza Hospice Care for Children with a cheque for £500 in preparation for the new Hospice’s opening in March.
In anticipation of the Eltham Hospice’s launch next month, Vantis’ Sidcup team chose to support Demelza in recognition of the much-needed care the new Hospice will provide for patients and their families in the South London area.
Amid the current tough economic climate, donations by individuals and companies are now even more important than ever.
Demelza receives very little government funding and will be relying on contributions from businesses and community fundraising activities in order to afford the £1.5 million needed for the Hospice’s running costs in its inaugural year.
Nick Paterno, Client Partner at Vantis in Sidcup, was delighted to present the charity’s Area Fundraising Manager, Terrie Kennor, with the cheque. He commented:
“It has been a privilege to support Demelza as they launch this incredible new facility, which will make a real difference to the lives of so many families in South London. As a company, we made the decision to send electronic cards instead of printed cards at Christmas, in order that we could donate the money saved to support those cared for by the hospice.
“It is so important for local businesses and organisations to work together and support one another, especially during these difficult times, and Vantis is delighted to be involved with Demelza Hospice Care for Children in this way.”
Terrie Kennor added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Vantis for their support in using this innovative way to raise money for our children. Times are hard right now for everybody, so it’s just heartwarming to see a company make a donation like this – it makes such a difference to the families we care for at the hospice. We are delighted!”
Vantis’ Sidcup location provides a broad range of value-added accountancy, tax, business services and professional advice to owner-managed businesses and private individuals.
About Demelza Hospice Care for Children
Demelza’s hospices support children and young people who are expected to die before reaching adulthood. In many cases there is no cure to the child’s illness. In others, treatment has been tried but failed and the focus has transferred from active to palliative care (due to the hereditary nature of many of the illnesses, some families may have more than one affected child).
Children's hospices provide the necessary short breaks and a range of services benefiting the children and young people themselves and their wider family, which are simply not available elsewhere.
Demelza are about to open a new children’s hospice in Eltham, South East London which will enable them to offer respite, palliative and bereavement care for over 780 children and their families in South London, Kent and East Sussex. The new hospice is expected to open in early March 2009 and there will be an official opening ceremony in May.
For more information about the charity and the ways in which you can help please visit: www.demelza.org.uk