St Richard’s Hospice’s Business Patrons Group celebrated its second birthday this week at its latest meeting.
Since its inception, the group of local business professionals has raised almost £34,000 to help the hospice continue to provide compassionate care for patients with life-threatening illnesses and support their loved ones.
The aim of the Business Patrons is to seek out opportunities and initiatives that would benefit St Richard’s and open new doors for fundraising across Worcestershire.
The Business Patrons hold informal meetings every few months to discuss ways of raising the profile of the hospice within the business community and arranges a series of fundraising events.
The group was formally launched at a special event at Stanbrook Abbey, near Malvern, in April 2013. Since then the group has organised a series of events in aid of the hospice, including a champagne and lobster evening, Bollywood event, Margaret Mountford lunch, a Zumbathon, Thai dinner, dinner and magic night and a trip to Cheltenham races.
The next event planned will be a barn dance held at Old Pound Farm, Peopleton, near Pershore, on 13th June. The evening is open to all with a pig roast, real ales and ciders and prizes for the best dressed country guy and girl.
Rachel Jones, Fundraising Manager at St Richard’s Hospice, said; “We are a fun group. We promised from the start there wouldn’t be committee meetings or minute taking, just informal get-togethers where everyone’s opinions are valued. It has really worked and members of the group have become great friends over the past few years. We are very proud of the fantastic amount raised from the commitment of this small core of business individuals.”
The group is keen to meet potential new members who are able to contribute to the continued success of St Richard’s Hospice. Any companies who are interested in joining the group are invited to contact Rachel Jones at the hospice on 01905 763963 or to find out more.
Photo: The St Richard’s Hospice Business Patrons (L:R) Ian Vass, Jelf Clarke Roxburgh; Alison Pickerill, Peplow Jewellers; Chris Fleetwood, Pendragon Packaging; David Avery, Jelf Clarke Roxburgh; Julia Williams, Premier Places; Phil Humphreys, Pendragon Packaging; Andrea Borwell-Fox, Borwell Ltd; Anita Hennessey, Harrison Clark Rickerby’s; Paula Hill, E Hill & Son Funeral Directors