Oxford children's hospice worried about rising costs and demand
Helen & Douglas House says it's getting more referrals while the cost of providing care keeps going up
An Oxford children's hospice says it is seeing more families needing support at a time when the cost of providing its services is increasing.
Helen & Douglas House cares for children with life-limiting conditions and their families, but relies on fundraising for around 90% of its running costs.
Dr Emily Harrop, medical director at Helen & Douglas House, said "We worry a lot because year on year we're seeing more referrals.
"I like to think that's because people know we're here and that more children who need the help are getting the help."
She added: "I don't think it's because necessarily more children are dying. I think they're living longer sometimes with their life-limiting illness.
"So if we see them for longer, that adds up and we have a bigger group of families under our care at any one time."
The hospice only receives around 10 to 11% of its running costs from statutory sources.
Dr Harrop says the cost of providing care continues to rise, while that statutory income has not increased at the same rate.
She also said that the current economic climate is also having an impact on people's ability to support charities.
"For every hardworking family, they have less disposable income to give to charity," she said.
Helen & Douglas House receives support through its charity shops, regular monthly donations and major donors, but Dr Harrop said its financial position feels "vulnerable".
She said: "I see hospices all over the country closing beds. I see sister services really struggling to keep themselves above water.
"We are not quite in that situation yet but we are, like many hospices, in a deficit budget and that is really hard."
The charity says it costs around £200,000 to fund a hospice bed for a year.
Dr Harrop said the financial situation is a concern because of the potential impact on the difference the hospice is able to make to families.
She said: "We go to work every day to make a difference and the thought that we would ever be able to make less of a difference is the thing that would keep any of us awake at night."
Helen & Douglas house is aiming to raise enough money to provide a bed for a year as the headline charity for the Oxford Half Marathon in two weeks time.
Dr Harrop and three other members of the care team will be participating in the half marathon dressed as beds to raise awareness about the need for hospice care.