12th November 2004
St Giles Hospice is urging local people to buy their charity Christmas cards with care this year.

While charity Christmas cards from a number of high street stores give only a tiny fraction to good causes, nearly 50% of the profits from the sale of St Giles’ cards goes directly to help the charity care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

A survey by the Charities Advisory Trust – which provides an impartial source of information on all aspects of trading for charities – last year found that both Marks & Spencer and Boots handed over just 10% of the purchase price of their charity Christmas cards to nominated charities. WH Smith gave an average of just over 8%.

Compare this to St Giles, where last year sales of the charity’s Christmas cards totalled over £122,000, with more than £60,000 of that going directly to the hospice.

St Giles Hospice Shops General Manager Lynwen Truesdale said: “Our Christmas cards generate five times more money for St Giles compared to that handed over by the high street giants to their nominated charities.

“This Christmas we are asking people to really think locally, support a charity whose work is evident within their own community and take the opportunity to help those in their local area.

“The festive season is a time of goodwill and what better feeling can there be than knowing that with every pound you spend on St Giles Christmas cards, almost 50p is helping to care for local people in need.”

St Giles Christmas cards are on sale at the hospice’s network of thirteen charity shops across the region, as well as the Lymphoedema Clinic and shop at the hospice, and from the Groups of Friends.

The cards feature 22 different designs and prices range from £2.25 to £3.95 per pack of 10. A selection of personalised and business cards, overprinted with address details and a festive message, is also available.

For more information call 01543 481 042.

St Giles Hospice is one of the best-known and most respected charities in the region, offering high-quality nursing and medical care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region, where community nurses have made 6,000 visits over the past twelve months.

St Giles spends over £4million every year providing its specialist services. With just a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including proceeds from the St Giles Hospice Lottery and network of 13 charity shops.