Butterwick Hospice support remains strong despite arrest

TEESDALE support for a hospice charity has grown despite an arrest amid allegations of fraud.
A 62-year-old man was arrested and questioned on suspicion of fraud at Butterwick Hospice last week. The identity of the man has not been released by police.
The hospice, which has a charity shop in Barnard Castle, has confirmed its finances are on a stable footing.
Meanwhile, the local shop has seen a surge in donations of quality goods, said manager Mark Wilkes.
In confirming major development at the hospice’s headquarters in Stockton, a spokesperson for the charity said the former chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, who lives at Rokeby, had been asked to leave his role on April 12 and the Charity Commission had been informed of events leading to the decision.
The spokesperson added: “Our internal management team has been restructured and, for an interim period, Judith Hunter, chair of the trustees and a highly respected nursing professional and RCN Northern board member, will take a more active role in supporting the operational team.
“Out-patients and their families are always a main priority and we will continue to deliver the high standards of care and compassion the hospice is renowned for.
“Our finances are on a stable footing going forward and we know the local community will continue to support us as it has done in the past.”
Mr Wilkes said that support in Teesdale remains strong and the shop has now extended its opening hours to include Sundays.
He said: “We did quite well on our first Sunday. We have seen no change to our support and people are still coming in. In fact we have been busier this week than usual.”
The manager added that profit from the shop goes solely to supporting the children’s section of Butterwick Hospice.
He said: “A lot of the children go there for respite care, it is not just for end of life. It is life-limiting conditions, but they could live on to adulthood. It is a very positive place with loads of activities for people to do. It is the people’s support that keeps it going.”
Cleveland police confirmed made an arrest in connection with Butterwick Hospice elsewhere.  A spokesperson said: “We received a concern of possible financial irregularity relating to Butterwick Hospice and officers are investigating.
“A 62-year-old man was arrested on May 2 on suspicion of fraud and is currently undergoing questioning.”