Joyful fundraising for Hospice’s Marathon runner

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Caroline Harding is one of five people who will run the London Marathon in aid of Weston Hospicecare this April. Since successfully securing a ballot place, Caroline has been fundraising by organising a variety of events.

A charity evening held in Wrington last month raised an incredible £6,000 for Caroline’s fundraising pot thanks mainly to an auction of promises.

 

Now, a gospel concert on Saturday 14th March will mark the last of Caroline’s fundraising events. Community choir Joyful Spirit will perform a repertoire of spirituals and popular modern songs to audiences in Christ Church, Montpelier.

 

Joyful Spirit was founded 10 years ago and has been staging gospel concerts in aid of local and national charities ever since. There are currently over 70 members singing in the choir led by Alison Cooper-White, Director of Music at Churchill Academy and Sixth Form.

 

Chris Brown, a member of Joyful Spirit and Caroline’s father commented: “My wife and I are really proud of Caroline whose idea it was to run the London Marathon. Since being selected she has visited the Hospice which inspired her to raise as much money as possible.”

 

“Her efforts have been supported by wonderful friends and together with the generosity of local people she has raised far more than originally expected.”

 

“I love singing with Joyful Spirit and as a choir we are proud to be supporting Caroline.”

 

Claire Dibben from Weston Hospicecare said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to support Caroline with her fundraising for the London Marathon. If she shows the same level of commitment to her training I am sure she will be whizzing over that finish line in a flash!”

 

If you would like tickets for the event contact Jane at Christ Church on or .

Hospice service helping patients through their “darkest hours”

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In June 2014 Weston Hospicecare expanded its patient services with the opening of the Wellbeing Centre. Since then Alison Bailey, the Hospice’s Complementary Therapy Coordinator, and her team have given over 420 treatments.

 

The Wellbeing Centre, a separate building in the grounds of the Hospice in Uphill, acts as a hub for the complementary therapies that patients and their carers may receive free of charge.

 

Alison, who manages the Wellbeing Centre, explains that the therapies are not pampering sessions but specialist services which provide patients with many benefits.

 

“It is extremely common for a person living with a life-limiting illness to go through feelings of low body image. The patient’s self esteem can be affected greatly, and these therapies are designed with that in mind.”

 

Alison and her team of trained volunteers visit approximately 70 patients a month.

 

“It’s a very busy role,” Alison comments. “The service is not exclusive to the Wellbeing Centre, and I’m often seeing patients in their homes, attending support groups or treating patients on the In-patient Unit to help with pain control and anxiety.”

 

“We also give treatments to the carers of Hospice patients. Quite often they will visit us at the Wellbeing Centre, which provides a peaceful break for them on an afternoon.”

 

Weston Hospicecare has plans to introduce new therapies to the Wellbeing Centre. Alison has recently qualified in Hypnotherapy, which has been noted for its relaxation benefits.

“When the body is in a deep, restful state it can help to control pain and boost self confidence”, remarks Alison.

 

The patients at the Wellbeing Centre are encouraged to leave feedback following a session of treatment. Alison comments: “The majority of comments talk about how relaxed the patient felt and how they will be able to cope better when they’re at home.”

 

“There is one comment in particular that stays in my mind, where a patient told me that by receiving these therapies it had helped them through their “darkest hours”. You can’t begin to understand how valuable these words are to hear.”

 

It will cost over £29,600 to provide these therapy services this year. By setting up a Regular Gift you can help Weston Hospicecare plan for the future, and ensure that Alison and her team will be caring for your local community for years to come.

Springtime at the Hospice

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Spring has officially begun at Weston Hospicecare. The daffodils that we planted in the grounds of our future home have bloomed, we’ve seen the return of the popular Easter raffle and we’re counting down the seconds to our springtime fundraising events.

On the 19th April 2,000 multicolour footprints will line the sands of Weston-super-Mare as our Colour Run event returns for its second year. In 2014 our runners (joggers and walkers) raised £45,000 for the Hospice – can we beat that this year?

Another event hoping to raise vital funds for the Hospice is the Mendip Challenge, now in its 26th year! We’re looking forward to seeing our supporters set off on their 30, 20 or 10 mile walks through the Somerset countryside.

If you’d like to help us give the best possible care to local people living with life limiting illnesses, but don’t fancy getting messy with paint or hobbling over hills, then why not set up a Weston Hospicecare Lottery membership? For just £1 a play you could win up to £2,000 every week – and fancy your chances in our quarterly superdraw!

However you choose to support the Hospice just know that our patients and staff are so grateful.

Gill

Join the Mendip Challenge 2015

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It’s time to dust off those walking boots (or trainers!), get hiking for a great cause. The Mendip challenge is back on Sunday 31st May.

If you have never joined us for this event before, what have you been doing?! The Mendip Challenge is an exciting sponsored event for those looking to have fun, challenge themselves and raise vital funds for Weston Hospicecare.

Last year the event raised £40,000 – this money could cover the costs of running the Day Hospice for ten whole weeks.

June Burgess, 82, wishes to thank those who take part: “Without events like the Mendip Challenge the funds wouldn’t be available to run Day Hospice, and being able to come here is just amazing! It’s so relaxing, and everybody is very friendly. I always see kind, smiling faces and nothing is ever too much trouble – I feel like a queen!”

There are three walking routes to choose from 30 miles, 20 miles and 10 miles which take you through the stunning hills. Or perhaps you’d prefer to do the 5 mile fun walk on the beach where fancy dress is encouraged?

Since the Mendip Challenge started in 1991 we have raised an incredible amount. If you fancy being a part of this year’s contribution on Sunday 31st May simply fill out the online registration form or call us on .

Wellbeing Centre – 9 months on!

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In June 2014 Weston Hospicecare expanded its patient services with the opening of the Wellbeing Centre. Since then Alison Bailey, the Hospice’s Complementary Therapy Coordinator, has given treatments to over 420 people.

The Wellbeing Centre, a separate building in the grounds of the Hospice in Uphill, acts as a hub for the complementary therapies that patients and their carers may receive free of charge.

Alison, who manages the Wellbeing Centre, explains that the therapies are not pampering sessions but specialist services which provide patients with many benefits.

“It is extremely common for a person living with a life-limiting illness to go through feelings of low body image. The patient’s self esteem can be affected greatly, and these therapies are designed with that in mind.”

Alison and her team of trained volunteers visit approximately 70 patients a month.

“It’s a very busy role,” Alison comments. “The service is not exclusive to the Wellbeing Centre, and I’m often seeing patients in their homes, attending support groups or treating patients on the In-patient Unit to help with pain control and anxiety.”

“I also give treatments to the carers of Hospice patients. Quite often they will visit me at the Wellbeing Centre, which provides a peaceful break for them on an afternoon.”

Weston Hospicecare has plans to introduce new therapies to the Wellbeing Centre. Alison has recently qualified in Hypnotherapy, which has been noted for its relaxation benefits.

“When the body is in a deep, restful state it can help to control pain and boost self confidence”, remarks Alison.

The patients at the Wellbeing Centre are encouraged to leave feedback following a session of treatment. Alison comments: “The majority of comments talk about how relaxed the patient felt and how they will be able to cope better when they’re at home.”

“There is one comment in particular that stays in my mind, where a patient told me that by receiving these therapies it had helped them through their “darkest hours”. You can’t begin to understand how valuable these words are to hear.”

It will cost over £29,600 to provide these therapy services this year. By setting up a Regular Gift you can help Weston Hospicecare plan for the future, and ensure that Alison and her team will be caring for your local community for years to come

Weston Colour Run returns!

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North Somerset’s only colour run is bigger and bolder than before. Weston Colour Run made its debut in April 2014 and we’re thrilled to be holding the event again this year.

In 2014 a phenomenal £47,000 was raised by the 1,500 participants who ran the 5k route down Weston’s beach. The event kicks off in kaleidoscopic style on Uphill Beach with a mass paint throwing session before the runners hit the start point. The route takes participants down to the Grand Pier, and then back to the beginning in a loop.

Vikki Page, from Taunton, took part in the fundraising event last year “A few of us from work had recently mastered running 5k  so when we saw that we could put our skills to use and raise some money for a local charity we jumped at the chance. My father spent some time in a hospice towards the end of his life so for me there was even more reason to join in.

“The atmosphere on the beach before we set off was brilliant, who’d have thought grown adults could enjoy colouring each other up quite so much!  I would thoroughly recommend anyone to take part in Weston Colour Run; you’ll never do anything else quite like it!”

 

Do you fancy making your mark on the Hospice’s fundraising efforts? Participants can register here online.

Weston Colour Run 2015 will be held on Sunday 19th April.

Hospice shows support for local food bank

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Weston Hospicecare is showing support for another local charity, Weston-super-Mare Foodbank, which supplies emergency food for local people in crisis.

 

Both parties are hopeful that this will encourage the public to help important local causes by making donations.

 

The charities share a volunteer, Rachel, who suggested the Hospice set up the donation point which has been really well received. Several collection boxes have now been placed within the Hospice to aid the donation of food by staff and visitors.

 

Claire Dibben is member of the Hospice staff: “The Foodbank donation point has been a great idea. I often have lots of food in my house that doesn’t get used, but is still within date and suitable for the Foodbank, and so this is a perfect opportunity for me to minimise waste and help out a really important local charity at the same time.”

 

There are 400 food banks nationwide which each aim to serve the 13 million UK residents who live below the poverty line. All of the food handed out has been generously given which means that food banks rely heavily on the donations of non-perishable, in date food from the public. All donated food is then sorted out by volunteers into boxes ready for the food bank clients.

 

Sarah Fraser project manager at Weston-super-Mare Foodbank commented: “We are so pleased to be working in relationship with the Hospice.  Local charities continue because of the support of the community, and so without all of us helping each other we would not be able to do this important work. I know the Hospice relies on the same support from its community so we hope to be able to support them where we can too.”

 

If you would like to help Weston Hospicecare support Weston-super-Mare Foodbank visit the reception at to request a grocery list of items that you can donate.

Make your Will with Weston Hospicecare

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Just got married?  Moved House?  Had a baby?  Become a Grandparent?  Gone through a Divorce?  Then it’s time to make sure you have an up to date Will!

From 2nd to 6th March 2015, a group of leading local solicitors across the area are offering people an affordable way to put their affairs in order whilst raising money for Weston Hospicecare.

Ian Shipton, from Powell’s Law, said:  “We are delighted to be working in partnership with colleagues from other firms to support Weston Hospicecare. Everyone should really have an up to date Will and so Make Your Will Week is an excellent opportunity for local people to do that whilst supporting a great local cause”.

One local couple doing just that are Olly and Flora Joseph.

Olly explains “I’ve recently married and I want to make sure my wife would be looked after in the event of my death.   I also know from personal experience what a brilliant job the Hospice does so this is an easy and cost effective way for us to make our Wills and make sure our loved ones are looked after and help the Hospice at the same time.”

The participating firms are Powell’s Law in Weston-super-Mare, Wards Solicitors from their offices in Weston, Worle and Clevedon, Holley & Steer in Burnham on Sea,, Bennetts Solicitors in Wrington and Bartlett, Gooding and Weelen in Cheddar.

Call Weston Hospicecare for contact details for more information.

 

Fundraiser triples fundraising target for London Marathon

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On Saturday 31st January, Wrington resident Caroline Harding (38) played host to a fundraising event which raised over £6,000 for Weston Hospicecare.

Caroline Harding is one of five people who successfully secured a Weston Hospicecare ballot place at this April’s Virgin London Marathon. Caroline needed to secure £2,000 minimum sponsorship in exchange for her place in the world famous run.

 

However, the charity night in Wrington was such a success that Caroline exceeded her fundraising target by a fantastic £4,000!

 

A raffle and auction was held as part of the evening with prizes including: a villa in Tenerife, an apartment in Austria, an Amazon Kindle and a night for 2 in a Birmingham Boutique Hotel. The holiday in Austria went for an amazing £500!

 

Caroline said, “I found the night so emotional, everyone was so kind in every way and very keen to support Weston Hospicecare. We raised an overwhelming £6,090 on the evening and I still have people sponsoring me. I am now aiming to reach the £8,000 mark with all of my fundraising.”

 

Not only did Caroline receive fantastic support from her friends and family but local businesses also offered a helping hand by donating food and raffle prizes for the night.

 

A huge well done to Caroline, her friends and her family, plus all the local businesses that supported this event!

 

If you would like to apply for a place in the 2016 Virgin London Marathon, please contact Claire Dibben (Event Fundraiser) on or email for an application form.

Local businesses club together for a night at the races

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Revellers flocked to Allstars sports bar on Friday 30th January to take part in a charity race night, sponsored by Pulse Radio, for Weston Hospicecare.

 

A series of eight pre-recorded races – sponsored by local businesses including Brooking Ruse, , , Paul Tripp Installation, 1 Week SEO, Heritage Volkswagen and Club Vision – were played and participants were invited to place their bets!  Many of the horses had been sponsored by local people who were in attendance to cheer on their horses as they sped around the course.

 

One race named ‘The Skiathos Steeplechase’ was in remembrance of Patricia Wigmore who was cared for by the Hospice ten years ago. This event is one of a number that Patricia’s family will be organising in 2015 to raise vital funds for Weston Hospicecare.

 

Event organiser Brendan Sheridan commented on the success of the evening: “We’ve collected over £2,300 for the Hospice from the evening and we’re expecting more. We’ll definitely be planning this event again in the future – it was a brilliant night for everybody involved.”

 

Lynette Preston, Fundraiser, commented: “Weston Hospicecare would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended and gave so generously on this evening, as well as to all the businesses who sponsored races and donated raffle prizes.  Organisers Brendan Sheridan and Rachael Amos have shown such hard work, dedication and enthusiasm throughout the organisation of this event and we are very grateful for all of their efforts. It was a great night!”