IT's been a great 45 years serving the Island and Southampton...but the next 12 months will be challenging.
That was the message from Mountbatten chief executive Nigel Hartley at a Cocktails and Canapes event at the John Cheverton Centre at the hospice on Thursday night.
He told guests huge rises in energy costs, "well deserved but larger" staff salary increases due to inflation and increasing demand for the services it provides was putting pressure on the organisation's coffers.
He thanked Islanders present for their support but urged them to dig deep to back the organisation through difficult times.
Nigel said: "Our energy bills rose from £60,000 to £200,000 by June this year and that is just the start of cost pressures."
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He also urged people to sit down with relatives and make some choices about their end-of-life care to avoid difficult situations as the time came close.
Among the guests were Isle of Wight Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon, High Sheriff Kay Marriott and past high sheriffs and lord lieutenants.
Sir Ian Cheshire, chairman of trustees, welcomed visitors to the event.
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