I’VE mentioned before in this column how much we value the support we get at Leuchie House from local people, but it’s not always easy to put across the difference it makes.

We’ve just finished analysing data for our first five years as an independent charity as we prepare plans and budgets for 2017. The results give a fascinating insight into how thing have changed at Leuchie, so I’d like to share some of the findings.

Since Leuchie became a charity on July 4, 2011, we have delivered a total of 33,475 respite days. That’s 33,475 days when people with disabilities and their partners or families have been able to have quality time away from some of the difficulties associated with living with a long-term condition.

Your support has also allowed us to adapt to a changing market for respite care. In response to cuts in funding for respite breaks by some local authorities, we have been able to change the traditional Leuchie model of 11-night breaks to also offer four and seven night breaks. In 2015, these shorter breaks accounted for over half of the holidays we provided, meaning half of the people who stayed with us were able to have a break they wouldn’t have been able to have otherwise.

Before 2011, Leuchie provided care solely for people with multiple sclerosis. Over the past five years, you’ve helped us to meet demand for respite breaks from people with many other long-term conditions, including Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and people who’ve had a stroke. Breaks for people with conditions other than MS now account for 43 per cent of the care we deliver.

From being on the brink of closure five years ago, we’ve come a long way and you’ve played a big part in helping us get there.

So, in the run-up to Christmas, if you’d like to support Leuchie, whether that’s by coming to our Christmas fair on Saturday, donating next week on Giving Tuesday, or anything else, now you’ll know exactly how much of a difference you’ll make.