A cheque totalling £3,500 has been presented to St Richard’s Hospice by one of Worcester’s longest standing amateur theatre groups.
Kay’s Theatre Group handed over the donation, in memory of one of its members, Jenny Hall-Dixon, who was living with cancer and cared for by the hospice before her death last August.
Cath Skyrme, Vice Chairman of Kay’s Theatre Group said : “St Richard’s Hospice is a charity which is very close to our hearts. The recent tour we had has only confirmed to us that the staff – both paid and voluntary – go above and beyond to help those going through the most testing and difficult time of their lives.”
The funds were raised from the group’s most recent pantomime performances of Mother Goose earlier this year.
Other recent fundraising initiatives have included :
Bag packing at Tesco St Peters, which raised £415.82; supporting Becky Fawkes, Jenny’s sister-in-law, who is raising money for the hospice by running in this year’s London Marathon; Becky organised a collection at the end of Mother Goose in February, helping to raise money towards her target; and a donation of £140 from the committee.
The Kays Theatre Group was launched in 1954 and was initially made up of Kay and Co employees only; in 1968, it moved to the newly opened Swan Theatre in Worcester, where it has remained ever since. The group has gone from strength to strength, entertaining audiences every year and raising money for local charities. Rehearsals for the next performance, Aladdin in January 2018, start next month.
Ria Simons, Community Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice said : “We are extremely grateful for the Kay’s group donation towards the cost of our care. Such kindness is heart-warming and always appreciated. Thank you to all who gave so generously!”
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their loved ones. Each year the hospice team supports over 3000 patients and family members in Worcestershire.
The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support we can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it continue its work.