The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) is pleased to announce a $250,000 pledge to the Aboyne Rural Hospice fundraising campaign. This significant contribution helped the Hospice achieve its initial fundraising goal of $2.5 million. Once operational, Aboyne Rural Hospice will provide critical end-of-life care to residents of Wellington County and surrounding rural communities.

Deborah Whale, President of GRAS, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting this vital community initiative:
“At the Grand River Agricultural Society, we recognize the importance of having accessible healthcare services in rural areas. The Aboyne Rural Hospice will ensure that families in our community receive the dignified and compassionate care they deserve during life’s most challenging times. The funds will specifically name the Hospice kitchen, which at the heart of the facility will provide a meal and a place to gather, just like a family home.”

The Aboyne Rural Hospice project has already made significant progress, with a two-acre site at Wellington Place generously donated by the County of Wellington. The hospice will house 10 private patient rooms and offer a tranquil, home-like environment where individuals can receive high-quality end-of-life care. The goal is to create a sanctuary where families can find peace and support, closer to home.

Dr. Clarissa Burke, a member of the hospice advisory board, expressed her gratitude for the pledge from GRAS:
“We are immensely thankful for the Grand River Agricultural Society’s generosity. This donation brings us closer to our goal of opening the hospice, a vital resource for the community. Together, we are making compassionate care more accessible for rural families.”

The fundraising campaign for the hospice has recently reached its initial $2.5 million interim target, the first major step in an overall nearly $13 million campaign. As the only rural hospice in the region, Aboyne Rural Hospice will address a critical gap in local healthcare, providing a peaceful setting for individuals nearing the end of life and offering essential support to their loved ones. The facility is expected to play a key role in the local healthcare ecosystem, working closely with Groves Memorial Community Hospital, the North Wellington Health Care Alliance, local Family Health Teams, and existing local palliative care services.

The Grand River Agricultural Society’s pledge is part of its ongoing efforts to foster community development, healthcare access, and rural well-being.

For more information about how you can support the Aboyne Rural Hospice, please visit www.aboyneruralhospice.org or contact aboyneruralhospice@gmail.com.

About Grand River Agricultural Society:
The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering agricultural, environmental, and community initiatives. With a vision to ‘nourish people, animals and the planet’, GRAS is committed to supporting projects that strengthen the fabric of rural communities across Ontario.

About Aboyne Rural Hospice:
Aboyne Rural Hospice is a grassroots community organization working to build a new 10-bed residential hospice facility that will serve Wellington County and surrounding areas. Focused on providing compassionate, patient-centered care, the hospice is set to become a pillar of support for rural families facing the end-of-life journey.