Lightning Fibre Celebrates 8th Birthday with Gifts for St Wilfrid’s Hospice
To celebrate eight years since the company was founded, Eastbourne-based full fibre broadband network operator and internet service provider, Lightning Fibre, has continued its support for St Wilfrid’s Hospice with a package of gifts.
- A donation of £400 to sponsor a hospice nurse for 3 days
- Free high speed broadband connections for 4 hospice shops in Eastbourne
- Sponsorship support for two fundraising events in Hailsham and Eastbourne in 2026
Lightning Fibre's COO, Ammar Jawaid, said “As a local business, we like to mark our birthday by supporting the community in our home town. Sponsoring the incredible nursing care at St Wilfrid’s Hospice, and installing free broadband for their shops, is one of the ways we can give back to the people of Eastbourne, who have supported us over the past eight years.”
Meeting Sam
The Lightning Fibre team were given a tour by Tilli Steves (Clinical Skills Facilitator), seeing the fantastic facilities and gardens, and, importantly, interesting insights into the dedicated nursing training she provides.
Tilli is passionate about training and education and manages the challenging task of ensuring all staff are skilled in specialist end of life care, along with so many other medical conditions that individuals need monitoring and managing.
We met 'Sam', her high-tech manikin simulator, that allows nurses and care staff to practise responding to emergency scenarios, helping build confidence and skills.
Community Connections - Free High Speed Internet at Hospice Shops
The Lightning Fibre enginners are scheduled to install full fibre broadband at four of the hospice's shops before the end of January 2026.
The Eastbourne shops that will soon have a reliable, high speed connection are located at:
- Langney Road
- Moy Avenue
- Green Street
- Terminus Road
The hospice has 11 shops altogether - including Polegate, Hailsham and Heathfield.
Volunteering at St Wilfrid’s
St Wilfrid’s Hospice is supported by more than 400 volunteers who work across it's shops, communities and hospice buildings. Their time and commitment play a vital role in supporting patients and families, and the hospice is always keen to welcome new volunteers from the local area.
Care Designed Around Patients
The hospice has 20 patient rooms, designed to be calm, comfortable and welcoming, with all ground floor rooms having direct access to the garden.
While some care is funded through NHS Continuing Healthcare or fast-track funding, only around 30% of hospice care is fully funded, with the remainder mad up from fundraising, donations and local support.
Around 120 clinical staff work across nursing, physiotherapy, counselling and support roles, with additional mental health and wellbeing services provided onsite.
St Wilfrid’s also operates a 24-hour nurse-led advice line, available to anyone who needs guidance or reassurance, at any time of day or night. This service provides vital support to patients, carers and families when it’s needed most.
The gardens rely entirely on private funding. Volunteers and local businesses playa key role here, with garden centres and nearby stores donating flowers and offering ongoing support.
The hospice is also developing its role as a community hub, hosting activities such as sewing classes to bring people together.
Everyone is welcome to use the cafe within the hospice entrance. It's hugely popular for great value coffee and spectacular cakes - as well as generous roast lunches! All profits are ploughed back into the hospice.
Continuing Our Support Locally
St Wilfrid’s provides essential end-of-life care for people across Eastbourne and the surrounding areas, both at the hospice and in patients homes. Visit their website.
If you've been thinking about switching to your local broadband provider for home or business, please call us on 01323 380260, or see more about our broadband services and find the package that suits you.
