200 helpers needed to raise bags of money for hospice

Two-hundred volunteers are needed in Newark and Southwell to support a massive bag pack week that could raise £10,000 to help with vital improvements to Beaumond House Community Hospice.

Five Newark stores — Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Asda and TK Maxx; Sainbury’s in Balderton, and the Co-op in Southwell — have all agreed that volunteers can help customers to pack their bags and collect donations from them.

The event will be held during Hospice Care Week, starting October 8, when Beaumond House will be taking part in the Be Bright Blue campaign for a fourth year.

Community fundraising officer Cathryn Crane is asking people to give up two hours to help with bag packing or hold a collection bucket at one of the supermarket doors.

"I am continually astounded by the support of the local community and its response to our appeals and requests for support," she said.

"Please, can I call on that incredible spirit once again to help us raise this huge target and to support us in a way that will not cost you a penny. My ask is for a one-off gift of your time — just two hours."

The money is needed to refurbish some of the patient areas, both upstairs and downstairs, at the hospice.

The aim is to create a younger and fresher feel, meeting the standards set by Infection Control as well as their own high ones.

Cathryn said some people, especially young adults, felt the hospice was a little dated and so they had put off from coming.

The hospice wants everybody who walks through their doors to feel welcome and to feel that Beaumond House is the right place for them.

"One of our priorities is to carry out the work to ensure we achieve this," Cathryn said.

"Patients are at the centre of all we do at Beaumond House. We want to be the best we can be — for everyone."

The chief executive of the hospice, Debbie Abrams, said it costs more than £1m each year to continue to offer services at Beaumond House.

"We only receive about a third of this from the NHS and the rest is raised through our fundraising from the local community," she said.

"All our services are free of charge to those who need to use them and we need continued support to keep providing them. All donations are welcome."

Cathryn is hoping that dozens of people will come forward and make the project a huge success.

"Having done this several times I know this is great fun," she said.

"Bring a friend or two, or a family member, and help us towards our massive target."

Cathryn is also appealing to shops and businesses in the centre to help join the Bright Blue campaign and raise the profile of the hospice by dressing their windows blue.

There are a range of time slots and dates that need filling for the bag pack.

Anybody able to help can contact Cathryn at cathryn.crane@beaumondhouse.co.uk or telephone 01636 610556.