In December 2022, the Arora Foundation Ball raised an extraordinary £380,347 for Thames Hospice - enough to fund our services for 15 days. This remarkable act of generosity enabled us to continue delivering vital care to patients with life-limiting conditions and their families.
On the night of the ball, some of our nurses shared moving stories of the care we provide every day. Their words resonated deeply with guests, many of whom pledged their support to help us continue offering comfort, dignity, and compassion to those who need it most.
The funds raised were put to work straight away. They helped us maintain the highest standards of care, ensuring patients received expert medical attention, emotional support and dignity in their final days. They also strengthened our counselling and bereavement services, giving more families the support they needed as they faced loss and grief.
Our Chair, Chris Aitken, said of the evening: “It was an incredible honour to be part of this phenomenal evening. We are so thrilled and overwhelmed by the generosity of every single guest, without whom we simply would not be able to provide vital care to people with a life-limiting condition, and their families, now and long into the future.”
One family who felt this care deeply is Claire and her daughters, Chloe and Ruby. When Claire’s husband, Alan, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the Hospice became a sanctuary for them all – a place where Alan could be comfortable and where his family could find peace and support.
When Alan’s condition worsened, he was admitted to our Inpatient Services. Claire told us what a relief it was to know he was somewhere his pain would be managed and his dignity preserved. “The nurses were incredible. They didn’t just care for Alan; they cared for me too. They made sure I was eating, sleeping, and had someone to talk to.”
After Alan died, our team continued to be there for Claire and the girls. Claire received counselling and joined a support group, where she found comfort from others who understood her grief.
“I don’t know how I would have coped without the Hospice. They were there for me when I needed them most.” Claire added.
For Chloe and Ruby, our Children and Families Team provided one-to-one bereavement counselling and school visits from Sonia, one of our dedicated family support workers. Chloe said: “When I started speaking to Sonia, it helped. It made it easier for me and Ruby. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know what I would have done.”
The compassion shown by everyone who attended the Arora Foundation Ball makes moments like these possible. It gives families precious time together, dignity in the hardest of days, and the chance to say goodbye in peace. It gives children like Chloe and Ruby the support they needed to heal. And it gives us the strength to carry on being a place of comfort and care.
Thanks in part to this incredible generosity, in 2023 we were able to:
These numbers represent far more than statistics – they are the lived experiences of people in our community, and they reflect the lasting legacy of every donation made that night.
As we look to the future, our commitment remains clear: we want every person who needs hospice care to have access to it – now and for generations to come. The funds raised at the Arora Foundation Ball not only supported us in the moment, but also helped build a stronger foundation for the future.
With the continued generosity of our community, partners and supporters, we will keep working tirelessly to ensure compassionate, expert care is available to all who need it, whenever they need it most.
World Business Centre 2, Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport, Middlesex, TW6 2SF
