Rainbow Runners in good spirits despite wet weather
The wind and rain didn’t dampen the spirits of St Wilfrid’s Hospice supporters who took part in this year’s Rainbow Run on Saturday.
Standing firm in our commitment to inclusion
Date published: 09 June 2026
At St Wilfrid’s Hospice, our commitment is simple: we are here for everyone.
This week, as part of Pride Month, we shared information on our Social Media channels about how we are supporting the LGBTQ+ community as a hospice. While many people engaged positively, we also received a number of unacceptable and homophobic comments.
We feel it is important to address this openly.
Why this matters
As a hospice, we exist to provide compassionate care to anyone who needs us, including patients, families, staff and volunteers. Our commitment to FREDIE principles (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) underpins everything we do.
The comments we have seen are deeply disappointing, but sadly not entirely unexpected. They reflect broader challenges in society today. While these remarks were directed at the LGBTQ+ community, we know that similar attitudes can affect many minoritised groups.
The real impact of online behaviour
Negative voices on social media can have real and lasting consequences. Even when they come from a small number of individuals, their impact can be significant.
They can discourage people from seeking the care and support they need, make individuals feel unwelcome or unsafe, influence decisions about working or volunteering with us, and affect the wellbeing of families and communities.
This is something we take seriously.
Our position
We believe that everyone deserves dignity, compassion and high-quality care, regardless of who they are.
We are proud of our FREDIE commitment and our values. They are not symbolic, they guide how we treat people, how we make decisions, and how we show up in our community.
We will continue to stand up for inclusion and respect, challenge behaviours that do not align with our values and create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Looking ahead
Moments like this remind us why our values matter so much. They reinforce the importance of creating spaces, both online and offline, where people feel safe, respected and able to be themselves.
We remain committed to ensuring St Wilfrid’s Hospice is truly here for everyone.
More stories
Runner completes virtual TCS London Marathon on cruise ship
A hospice supporter has run 211 laps of the running track on the top deck of a ship during a holiday cruise.
Pride Month: improving access and inclusion at St Wilfrid’s
June is Pride Month, and to mark it we are sharing some of the work we have been doing to make sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and included at
Camino Trekker shares reasons behind sign up
Fraser tells us why he feels lucky his Mum spent her final days at St Wilfrid’s and is fundraising in her memory.
Rainbow Runners in good spirits despite wet weather
The wind and rain didn’t dampen the spirits of St Wilfrid’s Hospice supporters who took part in this year’s Rainbow Run on Saturday.
Runner completes virtual TCS London Marathon on cruise ship
A hospice supporter has run 211 laps of the running track on the top deck of a ship during a holiday cruise.
Pride Month: improving access and inclusion at St Wilfrid’s
June is Pride Month, and to mark it we are sharing some of the work we have been doing to make sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and included at
Camino Trekker shares reasons behind sign up
Fraser tells us why he feels lucky his Mum spent her final days at St Wilfrid’s and is fundraising in her memory.
