When we started supporting Oakhaven Hospice four years ago, we didn’t do it for the recognition. We did it because it felt right.
This month, we received a thank-you pack from Natalie Hutchins, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Oakhaven, that stopped us in our tracks — not because of what it said about us, but because of what it said about them.
What Netserve has contributed
Over the past four years, through sponsorships, fundraising events and our support of the “Bob’s Full Circle” entry at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (which won a Silver Merit 🌿), the Netserve team has raised a total of £2,929 for Oakhaven Hospice.
To put that into context: Oakhaven told us that £2,330 could pay for the costs of caring for a patient in their Inpatient Unit for half a day. That’s not a small thing.
Why this charity matters
Reading through the thank-you pack, we were reminded just how remarkable Oakhaven’s work is. A few facts that stuck with us:
- 🏠 90% of their care takes place in a patient’s own home
- 💷 76p out of every pound donated goes directly towards care
- 📞 They receive over 900 referrals every year
- 📈 Demand for their service has increased by 63% in the past 10 years
- 💉 It costs £9 million a year to run their services – with just an 11% NHS contribution
That last figure is the one that really puts the need into perspective. Without corporate supporters and community donors, services like this simply couldn’t exist.
Teresa’s story
Inside the pack was a story that we think deserves to be shared more widely. Teresa May was the partner of Lynn Ashby for 35 years. Lynn was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at 59. After encouragement from the local MND Association and her GP, they nervously walked through the doors of Oakhaven’s Day Hospice.
“Until the first walk through the door, we thought it was a place to go to when you die, but we soon realised it was so much more.”
The Day Hospice team transformed their experience – turning fear and anger into connection, comfort and care. Lynn went on to be cared for at Oakhaven’s Inpatient Unit in March 2019.
“It was just an environment beyond anything I had experienced or expected.”
Lynn fought her battle with a spirit that was positive, brave and defiant to the end.
Stories like Teresa’s are exactly why we keep showing up.
Looking ahead
Natalie’s letter confirmed that Oakhaven is looking forward to working with Netserve in 2027 and beyond — and we feel exactly the same way.
As Jordan said when we sponsored the Gardeners’ World garden earlier this year:
“Supporting Oakhaven Hospice is a powerful reminder that what we do in business should always connect back to people.”
If you’d like to support Oakhaven Hospice yourself, you can find out more at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk.
