Farmer family pledge £1 million to St Columba’s Hospice Care in loving memory of Sir Tom and Lady Anne Farmer

St Columba’s Hospice Care is honoured to announce a donation of £1 million over five years from the Sir Tom Farmer Foundation, given in loving memory of Sir Tom and Lady Anne Farmer. This gift will support the Hospice wherever it is needed most. In its first year, the donation will contribute to the Hospice’s Virtual Ward service, helping people receive vital care and support at home.

The Farmer family have been generous and cherished supporters of the Hospice for many years. Sir Tom and Lady Anne were closely involved in the annual Light Up a Life appeal, a Christmas campaign that brings the community together to remember and celebrate loved ones. Over the years, their generosity and compassion have made a lasting difference to countless lives. The announcement of this gift ensures their kindness will continue to touch the lives of patients, families and the wider community for many years to come.

Reflecting on the importance of the Hospice, Sir Tom once said: “I have always returned from the Hospice with a feeling of gratitude for the warmth of welcome I received and the satisfaction of knowing the people I care about were in the right place.”

The family commented: “This gift is a way of recognising our parent’s long support for the Hospice and their recognition of the important role that St Columba’s has for so many families in our community. Towards the end of their own lives, they and our family were grateful for all the expert and compassionate care that the St Columba’s Hospice team were able to offer. We hope this gift will similarly help families across Edinburgh and the Lothians for many years to come.”

As St Columba’s Hospice Care approaches its 50th anniversary next year, this tribute is a fitting way to honour their legacy while helping the Hospice continue its vital work into the future.

Jon Heggie, Director of Income Generation at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Gifts like this are so important because they give us the confidence and stability to continue providing outstanding care for patients and families when they need us most. We’re incredibly grateful to the Farmer family and the Sir Tom Farmer Foundation for this generous commitment in memory of Sir Tom and Lady Anne.

“At a time when demand for hospice care continues to grow, support like this helps us be there for more people with the compassion, dignity, and expertise they deserve. We’re deeply thankful to the family for their trust in our work and for helping us continue caring for local families now and into the future.”