As we celebrate the close of another extraordinary year at Blythe House Hospice, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we have achieved together and to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us on this incredible journey.
This year has been monumental for Blythe House Hospice. From celebrating our 35th anniversary and unveiling our refreshed identity to introducing the beloved Snowdogs art trail, opening our 6th shop in Matlock and expanding care across North Derbyshire. We have continued to grow while staying true to our purpose: to support, care for, and look after patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses and bereavement.
To our community – your unwavering generosity and advocacy have been a vital part of our success. By raising awareness about Blythe House Hospice, you have helped ensure that more people know about the compassionate care and support we offer at the most challenging moments to those in our community.
To our incredible team – our staff, volunteers, and trustees, you are the core of our organisation. Your dedication and hard work make it possible for us to provide the much-needed care to those who need us most across North Derbyshire. Thank you for embodying our values: to Be Kind, Inspire People, Think Ahead, and Be the Best.
One of the most significant milestones this year was the rebranding of Blythe House Hospice – to create a unique and recognisable identity that allows us to reach more people of North Derbyshire. With this new chapter, we reaffirmed our mission and establish our place in the community, ensuring that we are there for everyone who may need us now and in the future.
This year, we celebrated our 35th anniversary with a spectacular Gala Ball that raised an astounding £46,000. We also launched our Long Service Award and I was delighted to present awards to so many of you at a special event in June. Furthermore, our ongoing journey towards LGBTQ+ accreditation shows our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring everyone in our community feels supported.
Of course, we cannot forget the magic of the Snowdogs Discover Buxton Art Trail, which brought joy and creativity to Buxton and strengthened our presence in the community. My thanks to Wild in Art, Markovitz and all those who took part and purchased maps and Snowdogs for making this amazing event possible. It has truly been a year of achievements and milestones, and I am so excited about what lies ahead for Blythe House Hospice.
As I share these reflections, you will be aware that this will be my last Christmas message to you as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. I have overseen unprecedented change and transformation of the charity and I’m proud to have played my part in that journey. Together, we have touched many lives, and I am confident that Blythe House Hospice will continue to deliver care above and beyond in the years to come.
I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas with those who mean most to you and very best wishes for the New Year. Thank you for being part of this incredible charity and the continued success of Blythe House Hospice.
Warmest wishes,
Tim Mourne
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
