Why Community Fundraising Matters to Your Local Hospice
Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre provides free support for around 1,000 adults and children every year. Our Clinical team supports patients when they are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and need help navigating what’s next. Our Family Support Team supports adults and children when someone close to them has a life-limiting illness, or they are experiencing bereavement.
Community fundraising is a lifeline that enables local hospices to continue delivering these important services. Here’s why and how to get involved.
What does community fundraising pay for?
The NHS helps fund many hospices, but few receive all the money they need to continue providing care from the NHS alone. In fact, government funding only accounted for 29% of funding for hospices nationwide in 2023-2024.
Typically, hospices across the UK receive a small amount of government funding and are then responsible for raising the rest of their running costs through things like donations, events, shops and grants. Primrose Hospice has to raise £1.95 million every year, with just 14.6% of this amount coming from the government.
Donations, fundraising and retail make up the rest, enabling hospices to offer a wide range of quality services that simply wouldn’t be possible without strong community support.
Although hospices are most commonly associated with helping patients through the different stages of palliative care, most do much more than that. Many offer:
No matter where you are, there’s somebody nearby who could benefit from services like these. Any fundraising event, no matter how big or small, makes a valuable contribution.
Why supporting your local hospice benefits the whole community:
While any money raised helps make sure many have access to the support they need in the late stages of their life, fundraising events also do a world of good for your friends, family and neighbours.
That’s because they bring people together, and you’d be surprised at how beneficial a classic event like a bake sale or charity walk can be. They create ample opportunities for people to connect, volunteer and support each other.
They also play an important role in raising awareness about hospice care and encouraging people to talk about tough topics like death and bereavement.
The Primrose Hospice and Family Support Centre’s 2026 Memory Walk was attended by over 180 people and raised a fantastic £13,071, demonstrating how even something as simple as a three-mile walk can make a huge difference.
You can get involved with fundraising for Primrose Hospice at any age. After 14 year old Ethan and his family received support from our team, Ethan wanted to organise his own tea party as part of our Go Yellow fundraising event. He organised the whole event and raised an incredible £660 for his local hospice.
Ethan said: “The support, care, and kindness Primrose has shown has meant a great dealto me, so I wanted to find a way to give something back. Organising this fundraiser wasmy way of showing my appreciation and helping Primrose continue the incredible workthey do in supporting other individuals and families who need their services.”
Every contribution makes a difference
It’s true that large donations have a bigger impact, but it’s a common misconception to think that small donations don’t matter. Every donation is important, and through community fundraising, lots of small donations can turn into a surprisingly large sum.
Also, each donation sends a loud and clear message of support to patients and their families, which can be comforting during difficult times.
Why volunteers are at the heart of fundraising
Dedicated volunteers are at the centre of every successful fundraising effort. It’s their hard work that ensures people show up, that they’re warmly welcomed, and that everything runs smoothly.
While volunteering, they’re also raising awareness of the hospice and its services within the wider community. This helps ensure that those who need hospice care can find it.
For many, volunteering is a memorable experience that gives them a real sense of purpose, as well as being a great way to meet new people.
Fundraising supports future generations
With an ageing population, the need for hospice care is growing. Ageing is often accompanied by complex health conditions that require specialist care, and it’s crucial that hospices can adapt their services and continue to support those who need it.
Community fundraising provides vital funds for new facilities and training, ensuring that current and future patients receive the best possible care.
There are countless ways to get involved
You don’t have to climb Everest or run a marathon to support your local hospice. In fact, when it comes to community fundraising, it’s often best to keep to simple, fun things that lots of people can do, like:
Have fun, and don’t feel under pressure to raise a big sum. Every donation truly matters, and so does raising awareness and showing your support.
A community effort with lasting impact
Whether you’re an organiser, volunteer or attendee, community fundraisers are a memorable and enjoyable way to make a difference. And for your local hospice, any money raised could bridge an important gap that allows them to keep delivering essential care.
Here at the Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre in North East Worcestershire, that includes care and advice to patients living with a life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and those going through bereavement.
If you could help Primrose Hospice, get in touch with our fundraising team today:
T: 01527 889 796
E: fundraising@primrosehospice.org
Written by Rosie Buckley.
