Charity caring for terminally ill sees huge rise in demand

A CHARITY which provides specialist care for the terminally ill in a North Yorkshire district has warned that it faces increasing demand for its services amid soaring numbers of elderly people in the county.

The Saint Michael’s charity has seen a dramatic rise in demand for its services across the Harrogate area amid an ongoing trend towards an ageing population in the county.

A strategy was launched three years ago to expand the charity’s services with the aim of doubling the number of people it helps by 2012.

Saint Michael’s chief executive, Tony Collins, has revealed that the action plan’s aims have reached the halfway mark, but warned that demand is set to increase. The organisation has also faced mounting financial pressures amid the recession, as the amount of money donated to charities nationally has reduced significantly.

Mr Collins said: “When we pledged to double the number of people we care for by 2012, we had no idea of the tough times that were ahead.

“In stable economic times, offering 600 more people the help and support they need would have been a tremendous achievement. But considering the last 12 months of economic uncertainty, this increase is nothing short of amazing and something all our supporters, volunteers, staff and the local community should be very proud of.”

In North Yorkshire, it is estimated there will be 50 per cent more people aged over the age of 65 living in the county by 2020 – a quarter of the total population. In 2001, the over-65s represented only 18 per cent.

Mr Collins added: “Everyone I speak to within the Harrogate district seems to have been touched by the work Saint Michael’s in one way or another.

“And this demand is set to further increase as the population continues to age and more people live longer with chronic illnesses.”

The Yorkshire Post revealed in October that the charity is due to open a community base early this year to extend its bereavement support service.

A former office block at the Great Yorkshire Showground is being transformed under the 180,000 scheme, which will complement services at the charity’s hospice at Crimple House in Hornbeam Park Avenue in Harrogate.

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