Blackmore Vale Lions are pleased to have made Weldmar Hospice Trust one of the beneficiaries of the proceeds from our 2009 Half Marathon and Peter Oswick (Our club President) is seen presenting a cheque for £1500 to Katie Slade. Our other photo shows part of the delightful garden at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester that provides a quiet haven for patients and their families.

Weldmar Hospice Trust is an independent charity working in Dorset. All their services are provided free of charge. The NHS does provide a grant but over two thirds of the money spent on patients comes from the generosity of the people of Dorset. This year (2009) they need to raise over £4.5million from fundraising, shops and legacies. They are the only agency providing specialist palliative care in North, South and West Dorset.

As well as supporting people in Dorset affected by cancer and other life-limiting diseases, largely at the end of life, they also provide respite services for people with complex long-term progressive conditions. The aim of the care provided is to inprove the quality of life for patients, and their familys, by treating difficult symptoms and giving social and psychological support. The care can be given at home, through day centres and in hospice buildings

Weldmar Trust support patients living at home through a specialist nursing service, social groups and day hospices in Weymouth, Dorchester and Shaftesbury. People needing in-patient services come to Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester for symptom control, respite or end of life care. The end of life is an important time for resolving family and spiritual dilemmas, and the Trust also employ a psychologist, a chaplain and complementary, music and art therapists who all help to support patient and families to cope - in spite of the circumstances.