Bury Hospice thanks their community for the overwhelming support whilst also urging others to help support fundraising efforts where they can.
Many people have undergone challenges to raise money for the hospice, whose income streams have been badly damaged by COVID.
Head of Fundraising and Communications, Rachel Wallace said: "Whilst the past few months have been difficult for everyone, never before has our motto that we are ‘In the Community, for the Community, about the Community’ been more relevant.
"We have been overwhelmed by the strength of community support that has been shown to us by the encouraging messages, donations and community fundraising.”
Ms Wallace has chosen several heart-warming fundraising stories to share, which shows the community support they have received.
The ‘Jolly Boys’ – a group of Bury men who raised more than £8,500 following a head-shaving challenge.
Bury Grammar School, who have made Bury Hospice their Charity of the Year, launched their 450 Challenge in a bid to raise £4,500 and continue to fundraise as the hospice heads towards its 30th anniversary in 2021.
Katie Geelan, musical director of Bury community choir and Encore, organised her group to produce an anthem in memory of arena attack victim Olivia Campbell-Hardy, which raised £1,400.
The dancers who run the annual Bury Hospice Strictly Best Foot Forward challenge every year didn’t let the current situation slow down their passion to fundraise for their hospice; and between them got their heads together to set up their virtual dance challenge. The Bury Hospice Dance With Me Tonight Lockdown Dance challenge led by Hospice trustee and fundraiser Deborah Lisle raised £1,600.
Eight-year-old Maisie Maddison and her sister Hallie, aged six staged a socially distanced sale near their home in Rose Grove. The sisters sold homemade crafts, including keyrings, magnets, glasses and cards, alongside packaged sweets, cakes and gifts, and even a lucky dip. Fellow members of the 14th Bury St Stephen’s Brownies and Rainbows have also been fundraising and collected over £1,000 for the hospice.
Inspired by the care one of her family is receiving from the Outreach service, Lesley Woods wanted to give something back by donating the profit from her successful family perfume business, Sweetheart Scents by Essens. She set out to sell 100 bottles of perfume and donate the profits to the hospice. Lesley sold 106 bottles of perfume and donated £710 from profit sales and donations.
Lesley’s brother, Ian Berry and his family also wanted to fundraise for Bury Hospice. Ian’s son, Oliver Berry, aged 15 from Woodhey High School and his friend Joe Emery, aged 14 from Bolton School took on a challenge to play 100 holes in one day at Harwood Golf Club. The lads raised £2,747.
As Bury Art Festival was postponed, festival stalwarts, Pat and Derek Fletcher and their friend Lynne Baird organised a Hike and Bike fundraiser to help make up some of the funds, which would have been raised from the Art Festival. They raised £3,100.
Bury Hospice launched a new challenge event in August which was aimed at encouraging people of all fitness levels to have fun while being active for one hour each day for 24 days. Eighteen participants have completed the challenge and raised £5,000 through their Just Giving pages and sponsorship forms.
Ms Wallace added: “It’s community events like these I’d urge people to support, our community fundraising for us is invaluable.
“We have also received incredible support from local business.”
NWCE Foodservice Equipment, based in Folds Road, Bolton donated their time and service to carry out the essential maintenance and service work that the hospice kitchen needed. NWCE have also helped out by providing free storage of the hospice art boards, used for the annual Bury Art Festival.
Hospice Care Week is taking place between October 5 and 11. We are shining a light on the team behind the scenes, who keep the hospice operational. During Hospice Care Week, we will be sharing inspirational stories and facts on our social media about what hospice staff and volunteers have done to go above and beyond.
Ms Wallace concluded: “We cannot thank our community enough – and it’s been particularly touching to see so many youngsters step forward and find creative ways to raise money. The fundraising team is on the end of the phone if you would like to get involved and support Bury Hospice – every penny really does help us.”
You can speak to one of the team on 0161 797 1748.