Fundraising boss applauds kind supporters for helping the hospice during this time of crisis as he explains the shift to digital fundraising

Mark Flower, Weston Hospicecare’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, says our loyal community of supporters are incredible.

He says “As I sit at my desk, sadly not the one overlooking the Old St Nicholas Church, but the one at home overlooking my front garden, I am trying to express my feelings towards our supporters…amazing, fantastic, remarkable!

When we had to postpone Strictly Fun Dancing, the Mendip Challenge, Wedmore 40/30 and anything that was face to face fundraising, including our lottery canvassers, a cold shiver went through me. I thought how are we going to make up the £250,000 the hospice expected to lose over the coming months.

What made this even scarier was sharing the income generation burden with my colleague Gemma, the Retail Director, who had to close all of our charity shops overnight.

My panic soon passed because one thing the hospice can always rely on is the incredible and loyal support of our community.

Fundraising changed overnight, we became virtual in everything we do. The Big Virtual Challenge grabbed the imagination of our community with nearly 350 people taking part and raising a staggering £20,000.

We had our first virtual quiz which raised more than £1,100 and had more than 100 participants.

The Big Virtual Pet Show was launched, virtual coffee mornings, a virtual art show, virtual open gardens, a virtual cycle ride and a second music-themed quiz are planned for Friday 29 May.

Thank you. You’ve gone the extra mile for the hospice.

People have fundraised by having their heads shaved, hosting virtual concerts, taking virtual dance classes, donating the money saved on petrol, making and donating PPE and asking for donations for birthdays and anniversaries.

While we are not out of the woods yet, we are certainly in a much better position because of your support and kind-hearted generosity. Your donations mean that local people can spend the end of their life in comfort, with dignity and in a place of their choosing. They mean that loved ones will be supported before and after death.

Thank you, on behalf of all our patients and their families for standing by our side during these challenging times.”