Southern Vectis Driving Forward Its Support For Mountbatten With £23,000 Gift

Southern Vectis is turbo-charging its support for Mountbatten Isle of Wight by gifting the charity £23,000.

Earlier this year, the local bus operator named Mountbatten as its official good cause for 2024 and 2025.

It subsequently began two years of fundraising to help the charity provide 24/7 care and support for thousands of local people across the Island in their homes, the hospice building in Newport, and St Mary’s Hospital. 

Mountbatten’s vision is of a world where all dying people and those close to them have access to expert, compassionate and cost-effective care of the highest quality - whatever the illness, whoever they are and wherever they happen to be. 

“This is a crucial local resource, supporting people with death and dying, and also offering relatives and friends free bereavement support,” said Southern Vectis general manager, Richard Tyldsley. 

“Our corporate charity is voted for by the Southern Vectis team. Many of my colleagues have benefited directly from the support Mountbatten provides, so we have decided to boost our support with this lump sum - which is in addition to our fundraising efforts this year and next. 

“We hope this latest donation will help Mountbatten in its vital work to support people across the Isle of Wight, from all walks of life.”

The donation will be used to fund a number of important aspects of Mountbatten’s work. It will pay for extensive refurbishment within the in patient unit (IPU), along with two Vital Signs Monitors for the John Cheverton Centre clinic rooms - replacing older machines which can no longer be used. 

The remainder of the money will buy a macerator, which will help safely and hygienically dispose of waste. Finally, Mountbatten will purchase two new iPads, to be used in clinical areas to aid the management of medical devices - ensuring servicing and testing is up-to-date.

As Southern Vectis’ corporate charity for 2024 and 2025, Mountbatten is also featured on a bus back and on-board messaging, to help raise awareness of its work. 

Nigel Hartley, MBE, Mountbatten CEO, said:

“Thank you, Southern Vectis. This incredible donation will help pay for equipment on our inpatient unit in Newport.

“We are one-third funded by the NHS. While that allowance has not risen in line with inflation, our costs have been growing.

"It means we are increasingly reliant on community funding, which makes up more than two thirds of the money we need if we are to continue to provide our vital services.

“This amazing donation is a huge added bonus, helping ensure the smooth operation of our 16-bed inpatient unit, which cares for and supports hundreds of Islanders every year and which complements our 24/7 community outreach services."

You can find more information about Mountbatten online.