HOSPICES in Cumbria have issued a call for Government to respond to the impact of rising energy costs. 

They predict £1m of additional energy costs at a time when they are under pressure from salary inflation and petrol costs. 

Households, businesses and individuals are already so stretched. The fear that donations won’t be enough are causing real concern.

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Paul Marriott, Chief Executive of St Cuthbert’s Hospice and Chair of the Hospices North East Collaborative, said: "Our communities are extremely generous to the Hospices in their local area, helping us to raise the money we need every year to ensure our care is free to all who need it.

"But the people and companies that support us are also facing the same financial pressures. That’s why we need Government to step in.

"Fundraising has always been vital and whilst we can’t praise enough the individuals who go the extra mile to take on challenges and hold events for us, we have found that this income has been falling.

"Simply because those running marathons and skydiving are finding it hard to ask for sponsorship as we all struggle with the rising costs. It’s certainly a bleak outlook for us all in the Hospice care sector.

"We recognise that the current crisis is affecting individuals, commercial organisations, public sector bodies and charities alike. Society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable.

"And people at the end of life, are at their most vulnerable. They are, surely, a special case for additional support."

The hospices in north Cumbria are part of a chain 12 independent charitable hospices across north Cumbria and the north east. 

The 12 hospice charities set up a formal collaborative in 2017 to improve the provision of palliative and end of life care across the region.

However, a now pressing aim of the collective is to identify whether they can achieve savings by joining together to wield greater purchasing power. Despite their efforts, they are finding that there are no deals to be had for rising energy costs in the current climate.

The hospices are therefore calling on the Government to step in and help to sustain these vital services.