In recent weeks, a local man has been travelling across north, west and east Cumbria delivering collections boxes to help raise vital income to safeguard a local hospice.
Earlier this month, Don Marks launched his fundraising campaign to raise £100,000 to help protect Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. The Cumbrian charity provides care, support and activities to local children and adults with life limiting illnesses.
Don explained: “Back in March I was made aware of the financial position the hospice is in and I want to help raise money to protect the future of the hospice. I am calling on the people of Cumbria to donate and support in any way that they can.
“I really want people to support the whole hospice as without the money the hospice will not survive. I am urging people to put themselves in the position of the families of the children in Jigsaw, without the children’s hospice they would have to care for their children with life limiting illnesses 24/7. Or without the hospice what options would people have for the last days of their life?”
To support Don’s fundraising campaign he has travelled the roads of Cumbria delivering more than 150 collection boxes to local businesses providing the community with an easy way to donate and make a difference.
Don continued, “From my initial conversations with local people and businesses they are all keen to help to protect the future of their local hospice. Everyone locally has a link with the hospice and now is your chance to help and make a difference to this important community asset. Whether you put your change into one of the collection boxes, make a donation online or take part in a fundraising event I know that we can make a difference.”
The money raised through the Together We Will Protect our Local Hospice campaign will help Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to provide care to local people when they need it the most. The care provided at the hospice is completely free of charge for those who need to access it – families, friends, neighbours, colleagues. However, it costs over £450 per hour to deliver this care, and as a local charity, Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw have to fund the first £350.
At a time when fundraising activities have stopped and their charity shops are beginning to re-open, the Cumbrian charity is in the unfortunate situation whereby the need for specialist, compassionate care is increasing but charitable income has taken a drastic downturn.
There are many was the local community can help to protect the future of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. From making a one-off donation to setting up a fundraising event, every donation received will help to secure the future of the local hospice. To find out more about fundraising in aid of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw please visit www.edenvalleyhospice.org, www.jigsawhospice.org, email [email protected] or call the Fundraising Team on 01228 810801.
