GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Since the beginning of November, Cameboo Hospice has been forced to change both its method of providing care and its administration due to diminished funding.

Sr Loretta Wiehahn has retained her full-time position in charge of the palliative care programme, and is making miracles happen with fewer staff working shorter hours to ensure that the patients receive the best possible care.

The number of home-based carers has been reduced to three, who only work part-time, but these ladies are doing a sterling job in maintaining a professional level of care.

The administrative team has been cut back, with manager Susan van der Linde supported in the office by part-time local fundraiser Colleen Buckle.

Due to the reduction of staff, management is appealing for help to keep the hospice going. A wish-list has been drawn up for volunteers to assist with small but important things, including transport for the home-based caregivers, a supervisor for the issuing of monthly food parcels from the office, and someone to clean the vehicles and the yard every week. 

Help is also needed for random tasks, such as sorting through donated goods, and donations and help is needed for the White Elephant stall at the St James Christmas Fair on 30 November. 

Help and donations are also needed for the weekly jumble sales, which are held every Friday between 9am and 11am. "We have a wonderful and vast selection of books available every day during office hours, except Wednesday and Friday mornings," said Buckle.

The amended office hours are from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, with a lunch break between 1pm and 2pm. Colleen Buckle is eager to give more details and to welcome new members to the team.

"You can pop in at the office to chat with me, or call me on 049 892 4608 from 8am till 1pm from Tuesday to Friday," she said.

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