Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has appointed a new Trustee to its Board.

He’s David McDonald, who has more than 30 years’ experience in business leadership roles in engineering and defence sectors, working for companies with turnovers ranging from £500,000 to £60m.

Now Group Chair for Vistage, the executive peer advisory group for business owners in and around Dorset, he’s also President of Christchurch Rugby Club.

Clare Gallie, CEO, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said, “As a charity we have been through the process of evaluating business needs and identifying potential gaps in our Board structure.

“This led to us advertising for a Trustee with finance leadership expertise.

“As a result, we are delighted to welcome on board David McDonald who brings with him a wealth of talent to our organisation.”

David said: “I have built up many years of experience as a Managing Director in a multitude of businesses.

“However, I decided to give up the corporate world to focus on the things that I love doing.

“I am now an Executive Coach, facilitate a group of successful business leaders and deliver respite foster care with my wife.

“I also wanted to do more for the local community so when I became aware of this Lewis-Manning Hospice Care voluntary role I jumped at the opportunity to apply my business skills to a local charity.

“I met Clare online when I created a local peer group to support businesses through the lockdown.

“I am very impressed with what Clare has already done to move the charity forward and I am looking forward to being involved in the great plans that she and her team have for the future.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care was established 28 years ago, providing care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset.

It offers a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home.

They include:

• Day hospices, virtual and in person.
• Creative arts & wellbeing support.
• Lymphoedema clinic for cancer patients.
• Better breathing clinic.
• Family bereavement & support

Every year the charity supports nearly 500 local people.

It develops new services, based on patient need and gaps which have been identified in the area, requiring more than £1.6m to be raised annually.

• lewis-manning.org.uk