Hospice at Home West Cumbria’s efforts to support its vital services during the coronavirus pandemic saw it raise £11,000.
The charity, which provides support and advice to people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers, has been hit hard by the pandemic.
All fundraising events were cancelled and its shops had to close, so the charity had to come up with new initiatives to generate income.
In June, it launched 50 Faces for Hospice and urged the local community to get behind them.
The idea was for 50 supporters to sign up with a pledge to raise £500 over six months.
Eighteen people signed up to the campaign, which
ended on January 1 and collectively raised just over £11,000.
Gemma Bell, community fundraiser for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said: “In March 2020 we knew all of our annual fundraising plans had to change.
“The 50 Faces for Hospice campaign was developed to allow people to raise funds from the comfort of their own homes and the ideas people came up with were fantastic! From making and selling facemasks, running and walking challenges, virtual car boot sales and online raffles – to name a few, the commitment from the supporters was incredible.
“The amount raised is amazing and will be a huge help, ensuring we can carry on delivering our vital services in the local community,
particularly in these strange times we are living in at the moment.”
Louisa Levoi who owns the Quince & Medlar restaurant in Cockermouth is a regular supporter of the charity, and signed up to be one of the first 50 Faces for Hospice.
Louisa said “I started off raising money by making and selling facemasks.
“We had hoped to do a competition on our stall at the Taste Cumbria festival as there are usually about 10,000 visitors to the town, but as per everything this year it was cancelled, so we decided to run the
competition in the restaurant, but of course we only had a fraction of the footfall.
“The idea was to guess how many medlars were in the jar, to win dinner for two at Quince & Medlar.
“We were delighted with the enthusiasm of our customers and enjoyed watching them trying to work out the number.
“Generally women just guessed but the men seem to get very involved with mathematical workings out.
“It was a local lady that won the prize.
“Hospice at Home West Cumbria is a fantastic charity. I have first-hand experience of seeing close family and friends being looked after by the Hospice at Home ‘angels’.
“My mum designed the first logo when Hospice at Home West Cumbria was first launched and she was a great admirer of the cause.”
To donate or fundraise for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, contact the fundraising team on 01900 873173 or [email protected].
