(Image: Chris Barron)
A Darlington hospital has marked its 25th anniversary by handing over £25,000 to support the “priceless” work of a hospice.
Darlington-based Woodlands Hospital has presented the cheque to St Teresa’s Hospice, which is celebrating an anniversary of its own in 2026, having been founded 40 years ago.
St Teresa’s has been the hospital’s chosen charity for the past two years, with the Circle Health Group match-funding the fundraising efforts of Woodlands’ staff.
Woodlands Executive Director, Debbie Dobbs, said: “St Teresa’s is a cause close to the hearts of our staff because it has an affiliation with so many family members and friends.
“The hospice is at the heart of the community and so many local families are touched in some way by the priceless work it carries out.
“There is a shared ethos of care between Woodlands Hospital and St Teresa’s, and we fully recognise the funding challenges all hospices face. Without charitable donations, that quality of end-of-life care simply wouldn’t be there.”
Fundraising activities have included six members of Woodlands’ staff taking part in the Great North Run, an Easter Extravaganza, and Halloween and Christmas fayres.
Victoria Raitt, Senior Fundraiser at St Teresa’s, said: “We honestly can’t thank everyone at Woodlands Hospital enough for the incredible support they’ve shown the hospice. They have found so many wonderful ways to get people involved and raise money.
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“Having community partners like Woodlands Hospital is so important to us. St Teresa’s Hospice is here for local people and their families when they need us most, and we simply couldn’t continue the work we do without the amazing support of our local community.
“It’s partnerships like this that go far beyond raising money. They help raise awareness of the hospice and ensure more people know about the care and support available to them. This £25,000 will make a real difference to the people and families we support.”
Woodlands Hospital was purpose-built at Morton Park by a consortium of consultants and opened in 2001. Although it is a private hospital, most of its work is carried out in support of the NHS.