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Grand effort to kick off a fund year

16/ 5/2008

STAFF and volunteers at Springhill Hospice have led by example by handing over their five pounds to our Can You Spare A Minute? appeal and raising £500.

They were followed by MP Paul Rowen, who read about the appeal and offered his own £5 donation.

Sir Cyril Smith, who was Rochdale’s MP when the hospice was built and has always been a firm supporter, also sent a donation to our appeal.

With the online donations and the cheques and cash sent to the Observer and the hospice, the total after just five days is close to £1,000.

Mr Rowen said: "It seems only five minutes since Margaret Geoghegan launched the original appeal in the Observer.

"I am delighted you are celebrating the hospice’s 25 years of fundraising and organised this appeal.

"I speak to scores of people who have benefited from the care and compassion provided by hospice staff and volunteers."

With readers’ support, we hope to fully refurbish one of the three patient bays which are starting to look ‘tired’ in comparison to newer, or more recently improved areas of the hospice.

The cost of doing this will be around £25,000, which may seem a lot, but if everyone digs deep, the sky’s the limit.

Who knows, we may eventually raise enough to improve all three units.

As well as encouraging people to donate online at justgiving.com, we also want to hear about your fundraising events and ideas.

One very simple one is for local businesses to organise a £5 giving day, when everyone is asked to bring £5 to work as those who work at the hospice did.

Other groups and organisations are also encouraged to take part, as are schools with their events.

Whichever business collects the most cash will be rewarded with a lasting Acorn tribute at the hospice.

Only three names have been honoured with the Acorn Award, which is displayed next to the Tree of Life in the hospice.

The first was dedicated to Margaret Geoghegan MBE, the hospice’s founder.

The second bears the name of HRH Princess Alexandra, while the third is for the dedicated band of volunteers.

The business, company or organisation that raises the most through £5 donations will be the fourth recipient.

Click here for our appeal special report ...