Photo (Andrew Mathias cheque presentation Dec 2017) – Andrew Mathias is pictured handing the cheque to the Clinical Team (from left to right) – Laura Hugman, Clinical Team Manager; Sandy Stark, Management RN and Pat Coombs Clinical Coordinator/Equipment Facilitator
When Andrew Mathias from the Haverfordwest area started planning his 5,000 mile 64-consecutive-day UK coastal cycle challenge, he knew he wanted to raise money and awareness for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service as his family had been assisted during a very difficult time.
Andrew said “I have chosen to raise money for Paul Sartori hospice care as over the last few months they have helped my family massively during a very difficult time”.
This cycle challenge was an incredible experience for Andrew, taking in amazing views and landscapes that many of us would not usually see driving in a car – leaving Andrew with lasting memories!
He was very proud and raised over 5 times his original target. The eventual total of £5,403.04 was just over £1 per mile, which he never thought possible. Andrew added “Always in the back of my mind was the cause behind this journey. The Paul Sartori Foundation helped both my Grandmother and family during a difficult time before she passed away earlier this year. It is fantastic to be able to give something back to the Foundation for the care and support they provided during this time and hopefully raise the awareness of the truly amazing work they do within the County of Pembrokeshire! Thank you so much to everyone who donated… it undoubtedly helped during tough days on the bike!!”
Paul Sartori were also very proud of the dedication and the remarkable achievement by Andrew. Sandra Dade, Charity Manager commented, “We were regularly sending encouraging wishes to Andrew throughout his journey and were blown away by his amazing accomplishment.” Sandra added, “Andrew’s fundraising is equivalent to us providing 180 of hours care in the community, so he has actually handed us a legacy to future patients. Thank you Andrew.”
The Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service provides a range of services to people living in the final stages of a life limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training. The services provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service enable people in the later stages of any life limiting illness to be cared for at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear.
Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.
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Judith Williams, judith@paulsartori.org, Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service, tel: 01437 763223 (4th January 2018)
Notes to Editors:
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service:
• is particularly keen to dispel the belief that it is a ‘cancer charity’ as this deters people with other life-limiting conditions from contacting the Paul Sartori Foundation (32% have a non-cancer diagnosis)
• operates an open referral system with around 15% of referrals from patients, family and friends. The biggest referral group is District Nurses, followed by Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists and hospital staff
• was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much loved local priest, who recognised a need for hospice care, but unfortunately died of cancer at the age of 39. The Foundation was set up in his memory and provides care to people with any or no faith, and not just Catholics
• charity was registered in 1982 and celebrates its 35th anniversary during 2017-2018