Woman carer standing next to elderly man and child at St Johns HospiceCare

St John’s Hospice

New chairs support patients with limited mobility

St John’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care services to over 2,000 people each year suffering from life-limiting illnesses or long-term conditions. The Axis Foundation donated £4,470 to the hospice, buying three patient chairs to help patients to sit and stand, as well as aiding nurses with bed transfers and hoisting.

Before we made our donation, the chairs at the hospice were low in number and of poor quality. Our new chairs will facilitate simple tasks such as sitting and standing. They also provide extra support for those who are unable to maintain their body posture. The chairs provide more than just physical support to patients with limited mobility; it helps them to build up their confidence, self-esteem and independence again.

 ‘I was delighted to hear the wonderful news of support from the Axis Foundation. I cannot thank the Foundation enough for this generous grant of £4,470 for new specialist patient chairs for use on our Inpatient Unit. Upgrading patient seating will allow us to meet the increasingly specialised needs of patients and maintain our high standards of care.’ Steve Barnes, Hospice Director

Previous Support from the Axis Foundation

In 2014, the Axis Foundation donated £2,000 to the hospice. This enabled them to purchase specialist laser equipment that helps patients with limited mobility due to painful swelling and heaviness in their limbs. The laser reduces patients’ pain and discomfort through its ability to soften tissue and reduce limb swelling.  It can also improve scar tissue (post mastectomy), increase the time it takes to heal wounds and boosts the immune system. The laser specifically helps those suffering from upper and lower limb Lymphoedema. Without adequate treatment, lymphoedema can have major effects, including long-term disability, difficulties with work and emotional problems.

“We are very grateful for voluntary grants and donations like this from The Axis Foundation which enables us to provide a much-loved service to vulnerable people with life-limiting illnesses” – Laura Marazzi, Trust Fundraising Manager

More About St John’s Hospice

The hospice, based in Central London, is the largest palliative care provider in Westminster and cares for people suffering from cancer, HIV, motor neurone disease and other terminal illnesses. People in their care need support with a wide range of symptoms including acute pain, severe mobility problems, anxiety, breathlessness and weight loss. This includes patients with advanced neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and brain tumours.

A Message from St John’s Hospice on our 10th Birthday

For our 10th Birthday, St John’s Hospice had a message of thanks for the Axis family:

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Two silver Bears on a ribbon at Surrey SandsCare

Surrey Sands

Core support services for grieving families

Surrey SANDS is a self-funded organisation that provides support for anyone grieving the death of a baby. The management committee and befrienders are all volunteers and have all experienced the death of a baby. They know exactly what impact this has on a family.

Our donation of £500 will help the charity to deliver support for grieving families. The donation ensures that the staff of Surrey SANDS have sufficient facilities to continue services such as their helpline, newsletters and booklets, memorial events, support meetings and more.

Surrey SANDS chairlady, Kate Price said: “Naturally, everything we work towards comes at a cost. As a charity we don’t aim to make a profit and all our income is used for the benefit of our members. The majority of our income is generated from our service beneficiaries, their families and friends, so we really appreciate Axis’ donation and are immensely grateful.”

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Multiple Sclerosis Trust logoCare

King’s College MS Trust

Providing multiple sclerosis support

The Kings College Hospital Multiple Sclerosis charity is dedicated in providing multiple sclerosis support. With over 100,000 people living with MS in the UK it’s crucial charities like this exist.

The charity provides suffers with vital support with specialist nurses and doctors trained to help sufferers live as active a lifestyle as possible. Through the charity, they also access to all the professional advice and information that will help them make the right choices for them.

The MS Trust is the definitive source of information for people affected by MS and is the primary provider of education for MS health care professionals.
The Axis Foundation donated a grand sum of £17,000 to the charity through matching the funds raised at an Axis charity disco and from the generous donations of Axis employees. The funding will contribute to palliative care for people with advanced MS.

“MS is a cruel and unpredictable disease,” explained Axis’ Claire Richardson, who knows first-hand the effects of the disease. “The research into better management of MS and support for people affected by the disease makes a real difference to the lives of those living with it.”

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