Press Release

10^th September 2002

McNeil Praises Fundraising Football Fun
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, says last night’s Church v. State charity football match had proved a great success before it even began.

Mr McNeil, manager of the politicians’ team, told the Telegraph:

"I congratulate the fundraisers at Ardgowan Hospice for their efforts in organising this event. The amount of work they put in and the interest they generated made the match a success before a ball was kicked.

"I also thank my Parliamentary colleagues and our local clergymen for giving their time to this very worthwhile cause.

"Hospices throughout Scotland do a great job and I know that the Ardgowan Hospice has given a huge amount to those facing serious illness.

"Of course, the provision of such an important service should not depend solely on the ingenuity of the fundraisers, or the goodwill of the local community. That is why NHS boards are expected, taking into account local circumstances, to fund 50% of hospices' annual running costs. This allows hospices to be well-funded, while retaining their highly valued independence.

"Indeed, the Executive continuously monitors the NHS boards' performance against this target and, in a Written Answer on 26^th August, Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, confirmed to me that they are currently discussing with the adult voluntary hospices clarifying exactly what elements of hospices' running costs qualify for 50% funding."
ENDS

Notes:

The politicians’ team included:

• Allan Wilson, MSP for Cunninghame North and Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development;
• Jim Murphy, MP for Eastwood and Assistant Government Whip;
• Ken Macintosh, MSP for Eastwood; and
• Cllr Archie Graham, Glasgow City Councillor for Langside.

The Manager was Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde.

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