The weather outside is… mild as local community centre raises £14,000 for St Ann’s Hospice with Christmas in September
Bideford Community Centre have been fundraising for the Greater Manchester hospice for three years
A Greater Manchester community centre is bringing forward some Christmas cheer in September.
Bideford Community Centre in Baguley, Wythenshawe have raised a total of £14,000 in three years for St Ann’s Hospice largely due to some early festive spirit.
Christine McDonagh from Bideford Community Centre has said that every penny “put in their hands” in September will be given to St Ann’s.
We call it Christmas because on September 26, we’ll have Christmas jumpers, and decorations, and Father Christmas will be there so it will be a big Christmas atmosphere. Christine McDonagh, Bideford Community Centre
St Ann’s Hospice is very close to the hearts of those at Bideford Community Centre as the former centre volunteer, Robbie who had lung cancer was moved to the hospice in his last few days. Robbie’s daughter Kirsty Taylor is the Bideford Community Centre Co-ordinator.
Christine’s mother was also treated at the hospice.
“The care that they got was wonderful, that we were able to be with them. When Robbie was in there, we brought in a Christmas tree, as it was near Christmas and we could spend 24 hours with him, whereas in a hospital, obviously, it’s different,” Christine said.
“We were just really impressed with the care that he got,” she added.
Speaking about Bideford Community Centre’s donation, Innovation and Digital Fundraiser for St Ann’s Hospice, Marie Foster said: “A massive thank you to Christine and all at the Bideford Community Centre for all the work they do to fundraise for St Ann’s Hospice. We are so grateful for their continued support. They have raised a fantastic £14,000 and continue to fundraise and raise awareness about the work that we do at St Ann’s.”
It is because of community groups like the Bideford Community Centre that we can continue to provide vital services to patients and their families at a time when they really need it the most, we can't thank them enough. Marie Foster, Innovation and Digital Fundraiser, St Ann’s Hospice
Funds this year will be made through Bideford Community Centre’s charity shop, serving breakfast in the community centre’s café, through supermarket collections and much more.
“The Bideford team including our co-ordinator Kirsty work tirelessly and around the clock to make our events possible,” Christine said.
The Bideford Community Centre will be raising funds for St Ann’s Hospice until the end of September.
The Bideford Community Centre is based in Baguley, Wythenshawe and the services they offer include a local food bank, clothing bank, charity shop, computer courses, and a community café.
St Ann’s Hospice has two sites based in Greater Manchester, one in Heald Green and one in Little Hulton. Both sites provide specialist care for people impacted by life-limiting illness, including patients, families and loved ones.