Speaker: Rachel Southgate, City Hospice. Also a visit from Bodmin Rotarians

Our meeting this morning was enlivened by a visit from four Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Bodmin in Cornwall.  The group was starting off on a busy day. Having overnighted in Cardiff, they came to breakfast with us before setting off to have lunch with the Rotary Club of Bristol Clifton, and then flying to Dublin for an evening meeting with the Rotary Club of Dublin Central, so visiting three countries in one day.

We also learned much from our speaker, Rachel Southgate, the Community Fundraising Officer from the City Hospice (formerly the George Thomas Hospice).  She explained why there had been a change of name - the hospice now serves the whole of Cardiff - and explained the range of services they provide for people who are terminally ill and their families.  These are now largely home-based. She explained how the scope of palliative care reaches far beyond just medical issues, including such things as social, financial and family matters. Needing nearly £2 million every year, only about one-third is funded and the rest has to be raised from donations and events and their shops.  300 volunteers are involved in every aspect of the hospice's activities.

Our meeting was chaired by President Michael Brooke, who is seen with the party from Bodmin, and exchanging banners with Vice President Peter Old.