Local Willen Hospice shops have received a welcome boost thanks to a generous donation of brand new products from the John Lewis & Partners Distribution Centre at Magna Park.

The donations, which include clothing and household products, are particularly important to the MK based charity which, during the pandemic, saw all of its shops closed and fundraising events cancelled or postponed. These closures had a devastating effect on the Hospice’s ability to raise vital funds to support patient care.

Anne Dodds, the Community Co-ordinator at John Lewis & Partners Magna Park has been a supporter of the Hospice for many years. She says: “We are so delighted to be able to support Willen Hospice yet again, with masses of clothes that can then be sold. Willen Hospice is very much loved by so many people and in my 40 years in Milton Keynes I have seen how well the business community and the voluntary sector work together – there’s great synergy.

“I’m thrilled that we can do this because it makes a difference to their finances and they can use the money they raise, where it’s needed most.”

Mark Rawlins, Associate Director of Commercial at Willen Hospice says: “The support from businesses like John Lewis & Partners has proved invaluable to us at a time when were unable to trade or accept public donations. This incredibly generous gift of high quality items meant we were able to have a ready selection of stock to sell when our shops reopened and customers returned.”

Willen Hospice is the only hospice for adults in the local area, offering specialist, compassionate care to people living with life limiting illnesses, and helping to support their families. This care is given completely free of charge, but it costs the Hospice £4.7 million a year, or £9 a minute. These funds can only be raised with help from the local community.

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