Normandy’s Emmanuel Church Donates Minibus to Phyllis Tuckwell Charity

Published on: 25 Mar, 2022
Updated on: 25 Mar, 2022

The Phyllis Tuckwell hospice charity has received a very generous donation of a minibus, from Emmanuel Church in Normandy.

From left: Clive Nichols, minister Graham Hoslett and Alan Birchett from Emmanuel Church, with Jaci Curtis-Donnelly and John Pegler from Phyllis Tuckwell.

The hospice says the church bought the minibus several years ago, but no longer had a need for it, and so wanted to donate it to a good cause where it would be more useful.

Phyllis Tuckwell, which provides supportive and end of life care for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer, will use the minibus to transport patients to and from its hospice in Farnham and the Beacon Centre in Guildford.

There, they can receive medical and nursing care, attend therapy, counselling and ‘living well’ sessions, and access advice on claiming benefits.

At 16-seats, the minibus is the largest vehicle that Phyllis Tuckwell has, enabling it to transport many more patients, save on petrol costs and reduce emissions.

The seats can also be removed, allowing for three patients in wheelchairs to travel in the minibus at one time, compared to its previous largest vehicle which could only take two wheelchairs. It will be driven by staff and volunteers.

Every day, Phyllis Tuckwell supports more than 250 patients, relatives and carers. However, as annually the NHS and the government usually only covers about 20% of its costs, it has to raise more than £25,000 a day to be able to offer all its services.

Click here to find out more about the care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides.