GUESTS stepped out in style to help raise thousands for hospice care during the city’s annual Ladies Day event.
St Richard’s Hospice hosted a marquee for 244 guests at the event at Worcester Racecourse on Saturday, June 7.
Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, race card top tips, afternoon tea, and a grand auction conducted by Bargain Hunt’s Philip Serrell, who is a hospice patron
The auction, raffle, and bucket collections on the day raised more than £24,000, after costs, to help the hospice continue to care for patients with incurable illnesses, and the people important to them.
Kelly Johns, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at St Richard’s, said: “This is one of the biggest and best-loved events in the hospice’s income generation calendar, and this year’s event was just fantastic—despite the dismal forecast!
“This is the twenty second year we have hosted a Ladies Day marquee and we are always blown-away by the generosity of our guests. This year was no different and we are thrilled to have raised such a phenomenal amount.
“Every penny raised will help us continue to be there for people when they need us most, as we rely on events and other voluntary income to fund the majority of our work with just 20 per cent from the NHS.
“A big thank you to all our guests, our event sponsor Eva Capital Management, our table and welcome drinks sponsors, racing tipster Ryan Tongue, our auctioneer Philip Serrell, all the businesses which donated raffle prizes, and our fantastic volunteers.”
Hannah Edwards, Managing Director of Eva Capital Management and trustee of St Richard’s Hospice, said: “As a longstanding trustee of the hospice, I am privileged to hear first-hand about the incredible work St Richard’s does 24/7 from the feedback we get from patients and their families and from just being in the presence of the team.
“I am delighted with the monies raised on Saturday and for the contribution Eva was able to make.”
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.