A High Peak hospice has been given a funding boost in time for Christmas thanks to a local gas network. 

Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen's Trust has been awarded a £3,000 grant from the Cadent Foundation after being voted for by Cadent customers across the region. 

The charity, which provides holistic care and support for those with life-limiting illness, is one of 12 to receive a share of a £25,000 grant fund in the second round of the Cadent Foundation’s ‘Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities’ initiative. 

The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent, and employees were asked to nominate local charities which were then shortlisted to go forward to a public vote. 

More than 1,500 customers took part in the voting process, with Blythe House being awarded the top grant of £3,000.    

Zoe Woodward, Income Generation Lead at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, said: “We were thrilled to be nominated by Anthony, and receive votes and funds from Cadent and their customers. £3,000 will fund 200 hours of care for someone with a life limiting illness, in their own home.  

"This could be during the day or at night time, very often family members are caring for their loved ones at the end of their lives and we are able to give them some hours of respite during the day or a good night’s sleep by providing a member of our Hospice at Home team to care for their loved one whilst they have a break.  

"Thank you to Cadent on behalf of patients in our community who wish to be cared for in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by all that is familiar.” 

Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust was nominated for the scheme by Cadent engineer, Anthony Hoyle.  

He said: “I lived in Chapel-en-le-Frith for many years and always heard lots of positive stories about the wonderful service they provide to the community.  When I saw the Cadent Foundation’s community grant scheme was looking for local charities to be nominated, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to do something to help support them and to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication.”  

Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “The ‘Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities’ initiative has been a fantastic success.  Since it was first launched last year, £50,000 has been distributed to 26 charities across the North West which is testament to the commitment and support from colleagues in the region.

"It has allowed Cadent customers and colleagues to make a real difference in their local community by nominating and voting for charities which are close to their hearts.  

“We’ve seen first-hand what a huge difference this funding can make to local charities, especially after the last 18 months.  Charities like these play a vital role in in our society and we’re delighted to be able to offer our support to help them continue their great work.” 

Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust adds quality to life by providing the highest levels of care for people in the High Peak and surrounding areas who have suffered a bereavement or are affected by life limiting illnesses including cancer, heart failure, COPD and neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease.  

To find out more about Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, visit www.blythehousehospice.org.uk 

The Cadent Foundation supports projects that help people living in vulnerable situations and energy poor communities. More information can be found at www.cadentfoundation.com 

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