Hospice of the Good Shepherd: Chester Christmas cards bring cheer to local charity

With the festive season fast approaching, are you starting to prepare for Christmas?

Each year the Hospice of the Good Shepherd holds its popular Christmas card and gift preview Coffee Morning to give supporters a chance to view their range of cards, gift wrap and Christmas gifts.

Included in the affordable range of gifts are jewellery, hand painted gin and wine glasses and china mugs along with a selection of Christmas ornaments and decorations.

A range of Christmas cards includes four Chester scenes one of which is an image of Chester City Centre illuminated with Christmas lights, taken by local photographer, Mark Carline.

Shoppers are invited to pop down to the Hospice in Backford on Friday 7th October between 10:30am and 1.30pm to attend the Coffee Morning and get a sneak preview of the Christmas goodies on offer! Entry is free and there is coffee and a mince pie for everyone.

The amount of money shops and supermarkets donate to good causes from the sale of charity Christmas cards varies significantly with many donating between just 5% to 35% of the pack price to a chosen charity.

When you purchase your cards directly from a charity you ensure that all the profits from the card go back to that charity.

All Hospice of the Good Shepherd Christmas cards are available via their mail order catalogue, online Christmas card shop www.hospicegs.com/christmas, their local high street charity shops or from the Main Hospice Reception (0930 am to 4.30pm weekdays only). 

As with so many individuals, businesses and charities alike, the Hospice is currently facing difficult financial times due to the increasing costs of living and is having to find new and innovative ways to raise funds to ensure the Hospice can continue to deliver its essential end of life care to the community.

The Hospice, which is not part of the NHS, receives only 25% of its income from government funding meaning it has to raise just over £3 million each year from donations, fundraising events and charity shops.

For over thirty years, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd has provided end of life care to patients living with life limiting conditions from Chester, West Cheshire and Ellesmere Port. They provide a 10 bedded Inpatient unit, a Living Well Centre which provides day support to help patients maintain their independence and to stay at home longer as well as bereavement support for both adults and children across the catchment area whether or not the death of their loved one was connected to the Hospice.