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Delight as hospice cash floods in
Thursday August 21st 2008. Posted: 09:35
The fundraising efforts of advisors at a directory enquiries centre were given a huge boost when a special event helped them reach almost four times their original target.
The team at Barrow had been aiming to raise £1,000 for the local St Mary’s Hospice - cash that would be donated in memory of advisor Karen Houston’s father. But when Karen decided to turn a 60th birthday event that had previously been planned for her father into a further fundraiser, the total shot through the roof - and now stands at £3,728. Centre manager Sandy Wallace said: “I think it’s really fantastic. They’ve been so focused and enthusiastic and I think the fact it’s a cause local to Barrow has meant people have got behind it.” The team has run a series of events throughout this year, including an Easter egg raffle, guessing games, a tombola and food and drink sales. These events, plus a contribution from the centre, had seen the target achieved - but the birthday event made an additional £2,688 all by itself. Karen said she couldn’t believe how much had been raised. “Originally the night was supposed to be for close family and friends but in the end we had 174 people there,” she said Karen. “We sold tickets and had raffles, a tombola and an auction with a signed Michael Owen shirt that on its own raised £400. “Everybody volunteered, including the singers - one of them was the mayor of Barrow - so everything we made was profit. I never expected it to be the success it was - it was a massive boost to the funds. My dad would have absolutely loved it.” She said she was delighted with the response of her colleagues, all of whom had been involved throughout the past few months. “I’d like to thank everybody for their support and their generosity - especially Anne Smith and Helen Parkinson, who worked really hard on the night and during the events at the centre,” she said.
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Last updated:
10:56