Select Car Leasing drives support for St Michael's Hospice with EV donation

ST MICHAEL’S Hospice, a vital 10-bed inpatient facility serving North Hampshire, has received a significant boost to its “Hospice at Home” programme with the donation of a brand-new Volkswagen ID.3 electric vehicle from Reading leasing broker Select Car Leasing.

The hospice, which provides palliative care and end-of-life support, emphasises a comfortable, “hotel-like” environment for patients and their families, a stark contrast to traditional hospital settings.

Chris Griffiths, Operations Director at St Michael’s, described the donation as a “game-changer,” highlighting the challenges faced by the charity sector, particularly with rising costs. The ID.3 will be instrumental in enabling the Hospice at Home team to efficiently and reliably visit patients in their own residences, alleviating the burden on staff who previously relied on personal vehicles.

"St Michael's Hospice is a very special place and we're extremely grateful to receive such incredible support from Select Car Leasing. The new VW ID.3 really is a game-changer for our doctors, nurses and support staff."

Chris Griffiths, Operations Director at St Michael's Tweet

This isn’t the first time Select Car Leasing has stepped up to support St Michael’s. Since 2021, the company has provided vehicles to the hospice, recognising the invaluable service it offers to the community.

Mark Tongue, CEO and Co-Founder of Select Car Leasing, emphasised the company’s commitment to the hospice, noting that many staff members have been personally touched by the care St Michael’s provides. “We’ll be working closely with Chris and his team to offer further assistance where we can in the future,” Tongue added.

The donation comes at a critical time for St Michael’s, which faces significant funding challenges. With operating costs of £15,000 per day and less than 16% of funding coming from the NHS, the hospice relies heavily on charitable donations and revenue from its ten charity shops. Increased National Insurance burdens, exacerbated by recent budget changes, further strain resources.

Despite these challenges, St Michael’s remains committed to providing exceptional care. Griffiths stressed the importance of getting it right, particularly in end-of-life care, and acknowledged the vital role the hospice plays in filling a gap that the NHS cannot replicate. He also highlighted the positive stories emerging from the hospice, including unexpected connections and even weddings among those attending bereavement support sessions.

“It’s about offering support, not just in the immediate moment but for weeks and months afterwards,” Griffiths explained, “as we accompany people on their journey. They become part of the Hospice family.” While funding remains a concern, the support from the community, exemplified by donations like the EV from Select Car Leasing, ensures that St Michael’s can continue to provide this vital service.