Bingo for St Ann’s
Supporters Sarah and Chris Wilson raised over £1,900 for St Ann's after hosting virtual bingo fundraisers throughout lockdown.
Kindhearted supporters, Sarah and Chris Wilson from Reddish spent most of lockdown hosting virtual bingo games in aid of our hospice, following the cancellation of many of our fundraising events and activities.
Sarah, 31, and Chris, 63, who also volunteers as a receptionist at St Ann’s, hosted 22 virtual bingo games with 289 people attending, raising £1,907 for the hospice. The pair even aired an international game that featured players from America and Canada.
The games first began on Wednesday 10th April, just days after the duo marked the second anniversary of Sarah’s father and Chris’s husband Stephen’s death at our Heald Green hospice.
After discovering they were ‘terrible at quizzes’, the pair decided to do something different, coming up with the idea of virtual bingo games that they promoted on social media.
Sarah said:
We were both really upset to hear how much St Ann’s was struggling for funds and mum is a volunteer receptionist at the hospice too, so we knew the impact it was having and wanted to help. Sarah Wilson, Supporter
Although Stephen was only at our hospice for four days before he died in 2018, St Ann’s had a profound impact on Sarah and Chris.
Sarah went on to say:
It was the worst time of our lives but we felt unbelievably lucky to have been able to get dad in the hospice and we were so well looked after. We could never begin to repay the love and care we were given over those few days and it has had a profound impact on both of us. Sarah Wilson, Supporter
During lockdown volunteer, Chris hasn’t been able to do her usual receptionist role, however, since the ease of restrictions she has started volunteering at the hospice’s Edgeley charity shop.
Chris added:
In the beginning, I really missed being a volunteer and once the shops re-opened, I put my name down to help as we are both so happy to be able to give back after experiencing care and support from St Ann’s. Chris Wilson, Supporter
It’s not been easy fundraising during the pandemic, as many of our events and activities are cancelled, so we’re only able to carry on providing our care thanks to people like Sarah and Chris. Thanks so much for everything you do for the hospice and our patients. Eamonn O'Neal , Director of Strategic Initiatives
