Hospice 'facing cash crisis'

Treasurer of Manorlands hospice in Oxenhope Gordon Senior stressed the need for continued financial support at the Sue Ryder cancer care home at its annual meeting.

He reported that income had dropped by £161,000 compared to last year and said: "We can't go on sustaining losses like this for ever and if the finance doesn't improve we will be reliant on Sue Ryder Care's national funds.

"We have to raise as much money as we can.

"It is not looking good generally but the first three months of this year have started better than anticipated and if the enthusiasm of the fundraisers turns into success we'll be all right."

He explained that while Manorlands was controlling its expenditure, legacies - one of its main sources of income - had reduced. He said: "Legacy income reduction is a national problem for a lot of charities."

It costs more than £1.1 million to operate Manorlands per year and the charity has successfully negotiated with both Bradford Health Authority and Craven Primary Care Group for increased funding this year.

After the opening of the new Marie Curie hospice in Bradford and the closure of Arden Lea in Ilkley, Manorlands is anticipating an increase in the number of patients within the area.

In conjunction with the Macmillan charity, Manorlands is seeking to appoint another specialist nurse to provide more expertise in the Skipton and Craven areas.

Fundraiser Sally Owthwaite added: "Our main problem is that legacies are a declining picture.

"It is a very sensitive area and we don't want to offend people but legacies are an important source of funds for us. We hope that by leaving leaflets with solicitors and noting it in newsletters we can subtly encourage people.

"We use fundraising to make up the short fall but we can only have so many events with three fundraisers and there are so many charities needing support now."

Future fundraising events will include a garden party on July 8 and a music event in August.