Staff at accounting and business advisory firm HURST have chosen Willow Wood Hospice as their charity of the year for 2021.

It has a 12-bed in-patient unit for palliative and end-of-life care, while its day services START (Support, Treatment, Assessment, Rehabilitation and Therapy) Clinic provides assessments and treatment for people living with a life-limiting diagnosis.

Willow Wood, opened in 1999, makes no charge for any of its services and has running costs of £7,650 a day. Its patrons include comedian Justin Moorhouse and actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.

The hospice came top in a vote by staff at HURST after being nominated by trainee accountant Abby Carey, whose late mother was cared for at Willow Wood.

HURST has raised more than £60,000 for good causes in the past five years.

Partner Simon Brownbill, the firm’s director of practice development, said he hoped HURST would raise a significant sum during 2021 to benefit Willow Wood.

PEACEFUL SETTING: The hospice gardens.

“Covid obviously presents a challenge, but we are planning a range of fundraising days and other activities during the course of the year, including hopefully a return to our regular charity football tournament,” he said.

“We like working with local charities that impact a wide range of people and hope our contribution to Willow Wood will make a difference. It’s a tremendous charity which fully deserves our support.

“Our well-being team is working with Willow Wood to determine how best we can also support them with non-fundraising activity, such as volunteering.”

Elaine McConnell, corporate fundraiser for Willow Wood, said: “We are thrilled that HURST has adopted us as its charity of the year.

“The last 12 months has been a very difficult period for us. Our running costs are £7,650 every single day, and we are funded for less than 21 per cent of that figure.

“It’s amazing to think that eight out of every 10 patients are cared for by community donations, and knowing that we have HURST’s guaranteed support will help us maintain and develop that loving care for the people of Tameside and Glossop.”

Willow Wood is supported by more than 600 volunteers who help in its shops, gardens, reception and throughout the hospice itself.

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