A FUNDRAISING windfall is on the cards after a big-hearted response to a hospice’s 30th anniversary appeal.
Donations to St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, have reached £25,082.82 and counting after the organisation appealed for contributions from its supporters to mark the important milestone in the hospice’s history.
St Teresa’s, which was founded in 1986 and became a registered charity in 1987, provides free care and support to the people of Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire through a range of holistic, day, home, inpatient, complementary therapy and family support services.
Chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “As part of our birthday celebrations we wrote to 8,563 individuals and 2,659 organisations asking if they would be willing to back our anniversary appeal.”
“We were able to arrange five major events including talks, a concert and an art auction, with all proceeds going toward helping the vital work that we do here at St Teresa’s.
“Every single penny of every single donation counts and enables us to help around 1,000 people each year living with their illness, in as much comfort as possible. With the continued help of our supporters we can make sure that this vital free care and support can carry on for many more years to come.”
Supporters of the hospice’s appeal included Capita, which held a sponsored dress down at work day, members of Darlington Choral Society, who staged at a spring concert, Tennants Auction House,which held a fine art sale preview, Pierremont Crescent which threw a street party and members of the Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe, who enjoyed a talk from Jane Bradshaw.
Donors were also asked to post a birthday card to St Teresa’s with special messages of support, to be put on display in the hospice, with the bonus of a 4* Trout Hotel overnight stay in the picturesque Lake District town of Cockermouth, up for grabs.
Prize draw winner Margaret Shaw, of Livingstone, Scotland, said:” I have supported St Teresa’s for many years and was thrilled to win.
“Although I no longer live in Darlington, it is lovely to still be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause through appeals like this.
“It is wonderful to know that the town has such a fantastic facility and I wish it every success for the future.”
Donations can still be made to the hospice and anyone wishing to support the appeal can do so by giving online at www.darlingtonhospcie.org.uk or by contacting the hospice on (01325) 254321.