A Bedford man has joined national charity Sue Ryder in their campaign to highlight the cost of dying.
Last month (16 June), the charity, which looks after the Moggerhanger Hospice, unveiled a billboard showing a 16-ft-long receipt running along the ground, portraying the extensive costs of palliative care and bereavement support.
This display comes alongside new data Sue Ryder has released which outlines the significant unmet need for bereavement support, the demand for palliative care services, and their rising costs.
On the receipt, the cost of services provided by Sue Ryder can be seen – such as ‘expert end-of-life care’ and ‘patient meals for the day in a hospice’ – however, the total is £0.
This highlights the free support that Sue Ryder offers, despite Sue Ryder not receiving any Government funding for their bereavement support.
Sue Ryder’s palliative and bereavement services support families all across England, including Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough and Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Bedfordshire.
However, Sue Ryder is warning that the rising costs of dying paired with the steep projected increase in the need for palliative care may mean they won’t be able to be there for everyone who needs them in the future.
They are urging people to help them respond to this crisis so that no one is left to grieve or die alone.
Caroline Graham, director of fundraising at Sue Ryder says: “Our stark new receipt is designed to spark conversations that the reality is, it costs money to die.
“We can’t shy away from the fact that Sue Ryder’s costs have risen by 20%, whilst 55% more people will need our palliative care services by 2030.
“Not only that, our bereavement support teams are providing critical support, which also costs money.”
She emphasises how there are on average nine grieving family members when someone dies, while reassuring that Sue Ryder, “knows that grief can’t be reduced to figures and lists, but we know first-hand that the emotional impact that grief can have on loved ones is unquantifiable.
“To keep being there when it matters for everyone who needs us, we need people to know more about the cost of dying crisis and donate whatever they can afford so that no one is left to die or grieve alone,” she said.
Bedforian, Ally Satchwill (29) also shared his story about Sue Ryder’s support for him and his parents during their deaths, “The team at Sue Ryder were a fantastic support to both my parents, but also to my brother and I.
“Even years on since losing my mum and dad, the charity holds a special place in my heart and forever will.”
He explains that his mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, but after treatment was given the all-clear.
“Then at the end of 2010, we were told the cancer had returned and just months later was when we had our first interaction with Sue Ryder.
“Mum initially went into Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger for respite care. At the time my dad was also unwell, my brother was away at university, and I was still trying to work – so it was just a lot for us all.
“When mum needed specialist end-of-life care, the Sue Ryder team stepped in again. The hospice literally came to our rescue, it was our saviour and meant that mum could spend her final weeks feeling happier,” Ally said.
After Ally’s mum died, he and his dad set about helping to raise awareness of Sue Ryder and the expert and compassionate care they provide.
“Then in 2014, Dad became very unwell. It was a really difficult time, but again Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice was fantastic, I couldn’t fault them.
“After being initially being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002 and told he only had six months to live, we actually had 13 and a half years with him, so I am thankful for that,” Ally added.
Ally, continued to support Sue Ryder following his dad’s death.
“If I was ever going to do anything for charity it would always be for Sue Ryder because of the care Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice provided to my mum and dad in the final days of their lives,” said Ally.
Despite the Cost of Dying, Sue Ryder’s palliative and bereavement support is free for patients and their families. You can help them cope with the rising Cost of Dying so that no one is left to die or grieve alone at their website.
The billboard was installed at Cathedral Arch in Peterborough.
