Irwin Mitchell to Sponsor Annual Event
A York-based Hospice is inviting people across the region over the festive season to dedicate a candle in honour of a loved one.St Leonards Hospice is a local charity which provides specialist palliative care to adults in the York region who have life-limiting illnesses. This year from 1st December the Hospice will be placing Christmas trees in St Helen’s Square in York, Selby Abbey, the Hospice grounds and Easingwold Village Green.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which helps many victims of terminal illness, is providing sponsorship and support for the event this year. The trees will be adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights, each one representing the life of someone special. All names will then be recorded in the Hospice’s Book of Honour which will be placed in their Chapel and at Selby Abbey over the Christmas period.
This year the Hospice will also be inviting people to have a candle floating on the River Ouse at a special ceremony.
Nicola Handley, a specialist industrial illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: “We’re proud to sponsor St Leonard’s Hospice annual memorial event. Irwin Mitchell has had a number of clients who were cared for at the Hospice following their exposure to asbestos at the Carriage works and developing the terminal asbestos related disease, mesothelioma.
“We are massive supporters of the fantastic work they do and I’m sure the Light Up A Life service will provide a fitting tribute to them.”
Specialist asbestos lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have also been able to support St Leonards Hospice and other hospices in the Yorkshire region by recovering more than £150,000 as part of their clients’ claims.
St Leonard’s Hospice recently underwent a complete refurbishment following receipt of a grant from NHS England. They presently have a 20 bed In Patient Unit, Day Care facilities and a Hospice@Home service, working alongside GP’s and District nurses to support patients in their own homes.
They also offer a range of different therapies, and extend their services to patients’ families and carers. The Hospice has a yearly running cost of £4 million and relies very much on donations and sponsorship to help fund the crucial work it carries out.
Sue Miller, Fundraising Manager at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “The Hospice relies on voluntary income to be able to continue to care for patients both at the Hospice and in the community, and this contribution will help us to help those who need our care in the future.
“We could not continue to provide this excellent standard of care without the support of businesses, individuals and the local community, including Irwin Mitchell.”
For more information on St Leonards Hospice and the Light up a Life event, please visit www.stleonardhospice.org.uk.