IT HAS a very special place in the hearts of the Petersfield community – and now The Rosemary Foundation is asking supporters to toast its 20th year with tea.
With china the traditional gift for 20th anniversaries, the hospice-at-home charity is inviting people to bring out their best cups and saucers and hold a China Tea Party during May, June and July.
These get-togethers will, they hope, not only mark the significant milestone – with more than 2,000 patients cared for since 1997 – but raise much-needed funds so they can carry on their vital work in decades to come.
“It’s incredible the breadth of support we get, it’s ever so humbling,” said general manager Jeremy Mitchell.
Founder member Julie Cotsell added: We never envisaged we would be in the position we are today. Ten years was a milestone but this is phenomenal.”
Julie set up the foundation with Barbara Pettegree, Stella Constant, Lyn Blackman, Maeve Bye, Carl Rubra, Jill Boucher, Lindy Coles and Kathryn Thorn after the Sue Ryder home closed at Bordean House near Froxfield.
There was a need for care of people in their own homes with a range of end of life conditions, including cancer, dementia, heart failure, Parkinson’s, brain tumours and motor neurone disease.
There were four patients in the first year, with 46 now on the books and referrals escalating for people within a 15 mile radius of Petersfield.
The charity needs £1,000 a day to keep going, with donations, event fundraising and will legacies all very gratefully received.
When things were looking very tough in 2011-12 a campaign in the Post helped raise the £250,000 needed to secure the charity’s future.
All are invited to a special anniversary service at East Meon Church on June 23, at 2.30pm.
And the charity is holding its Easter Craft Fair on Saturday, April 8, from 10am to 12.30pm, at East Meon Village Hall. Entry £1 to include coffee and hot cross bun.
To hold a China Tea Party call 01730 266329 or e-mail [email protected]