TV’s Jay Blades MBE hosts Compton Care’s Gala Dinner, raising nearly £90,000 for the local charity

Specialist palliative care and bereavement support charity, Compton Care, held its Gala Dinner at the weekend, which was supported by over 220 guests who helped raise an incredible £88,298.

The glamourous black-tie event, held in support of local people living with life-limiting conditions, was hosted by TV Presenter and community champion Jay Blades MBE - best known for BBC One’s The Repair Shop. The event took place at The Halls, and was not just a fundraiser, but also a celebration of life, love, and the dedication of Compton’s staff, volunteers and supporters, who together make a difference every single day to patients and their loved ones in the charity’s care. The amazing amount raised could contribute towards providing specialist intensive levels of care to our patients through our Virtual Ward and Rapid Response services, enabling patients to receive hospital-level care in the place they call home.

For over 40 years, Compton has been providing high-quality palliative and end-of-life care to patients, and support for their families, and helps them to navigate the challenges of life following a terminal diagnosis. The charity is there to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  

Compton Care CEO & Director of Nursing, Rachel Overfield, said: “I would like to thank everyone who attended Compton’s Gala Dinner on Saturday evening and pass on my heartfelt gratitude to all the people and businesses who supported it so magnificently to make it the amazing success it was. It costs over £14 million to run the charity each year, so this will make an enormous difference to our vital work and ensure we can continue to provide the wide range of services free of charge to people with life-limiting conditions in Wolverhampton, the Black Country, South Staffordshire and east Shropshire.

“We’re very proud of the exceptional care and support we provide, whether delivered at our purpose-built facilities or in people’s homes, helping our patients and their loved ones feel safe and supported during the most difficult of times. We’re there throughout a person’s illness and after death to support their friends and family. It’s thanks to generous support from the communities we serve that we can innovate, as we always want to do more.”

Commenting on why he was delighted to support Compton Care, which included donating auction prizes along with his time, Jay Blades MBE – Eco Designer, Social Enterpriser and award-winning TV Presenter – said: “When someone in the family has got a life-limiting condition, there is a lot to deal with. Compton Care, and personally I know, has supported so many people over the years. 

"If you know anything about Compton Care, its history, and what the staff put in to looking after people, not only at its Inpatient Unit but also in the community, it’s unbelievable. As far as I am concerned, as my second home is Wolverhampton, why would I not support such a brilliant charity.”

The charity has introduced further specialist services over the past year to provide even more expert care, including a Virtual Ward that offers hospital-level care at home, and a Care Homes service that helps residents plan their care and have their wishes met. This is in addition to running its 18-bed Inpatient Unit, 24/7 Rapid Response service, Community and Night Support Services, Living Well Centre, Counselling, Social Work support and Bereavement Care, Outpatients support and Spiritual Care.

For more information about Compton Care’s services, please contact its Advice & Referral Line on 01902 774570 or visit www.comptoncare.org.uk where donations to support the charity’s work can also be made.