St Andrew’s Hospice now serves a cuppa to suit all tastes – thanks to a donation from a grateful Hamilton family.
A new bean-to-cup coffee machine has been fully funded by the Carstairs in memory of mum and gran Janette Tiernan.
Every cup sold generates 100 per cent profit for the hospice which needs to raise £88,000 each week to provide care and support to patients, and their families, affected by a life-limiting illness.
And who better to serve up the first latte than Janette’s 17-year-old granddaughter Emily Carstairs – a senior pupil at Hamilton’s Holy Cross High – who volunteers in the cafe at weekends.
Janette, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, was cared for by the hospice in the weeks before she died in September 2017, giving her dignity and choice at the end of her life.
Emily said: “Gran enjoyed a good cup of coffee, and we used to bring her in a wee flask or cup from one of the high street chains, but she would have loved being able to order up a fresh latte or cappuccino right here in the hospice.
“I hope she’d also be proud of what we are trying to do in her name, because she was so generous and kind and willing to help others, which is why she is so missed by so many people.”
Gary McBirney, facilities manager at St Andrew’s Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from Emily and her family.
“With their ongoing support and the support of Matthew Algie, our patients, their loved ones, and visitors to the hospice will be able to enjoy their favourite hot drinks.”
The machine was installed by Lanarkshire-based Matthew Algie coffee company who, as well as supplying the coffee free of charge for the first two months, are also providing free crockery, 24/7 tech support and advertising materials to help boost funds.
For 30 years St Andrew’s Hospice has been a haven to the people of North and South Lanarkshire with a life-limiting illness. Although based in Airdrie, it serves the whole of Lanarkshire.
