Frome-based internet radio station Mix Tape Radio International has chosen to sponsor South African charity Khanya Hospice.
They are a small hospice providing home palliative care to the community on the south coast of Kwa Zulu Natal, covering an area of approximately 1,500 miles. The staff work in very challenging situations, lack of sanitation and running water to name a few.
Janet Walton, one of the founding members of MTRI, has worked in palliative care both in South Africa and the United Kingdom, and was motivated to set up this fundraising after a friend commented that they only had one syringe driver for all their patients, whilst in the UK, we think nothing of putting 2-3 up on patients to relieve their symptoms. A syringe driver is a special pump used to deliver medication to patients who cannot swallow any more.
Susan Van Rijsbergen, nursing services manager at Khanya Hospice reflects that patients often leave hospital with inadequate or no medication to control their distressing symptoms such as nausea, severe pain, breathless and anxiety. Janet is hoping by raising funds to provide a better life and a comfortable death for these patients.
Susan said, “The majority of patients live in very rural settings on dirt roads that become impassable during rainy seasons, meaning staff often have to walk down slippery paths to reach the 170 patients they look after.
“Most of our patients are from poverty-stricken areas with poor or absent medical and nursing facilities. They are often nursed on a mattress on the floor in a single room, amongst their family who live in the house as well. Some of the work is teaching family and friends how to care for patients, as there is very limited access to community carers.”
MTRI will be provide music and dedications at the Celebrate Southern Africa Market at the Cheese and Grain on Sunday 24th June.
Janet and John will be at the table on the veranda at the Cheese & Grain. They say, “Come and find us to support this worthy cause. We are taking no money for costs or admin from the money we raise.
“Join MTRI on face book at “MTRI – listeners” or online at www.mixtaperadiointernational.com and enjoy all the good music we play.”
