Fanning flames of fundraising

Pictured with the torch are (left to right) Allegra Holbrook (Dr Kershaw’s), Simon Pope (OTC engineering instructor) and Caroline Dean (Tesco community champion)

TRAILBLAZING staff at Tesco Extra have ignited a new fundraising campaign by Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

The Pass the Torch challenge will see the staff take part in a cycling marathon to raise funds for the Royton hospice, and then pass a specially-made torch on to another local company to stage another fundraising event.

The torch, the symbol of the hospice and designed and created by engineering trainees at Oldham Training Centre in Lees Road, was handed over to the Huddersfield Road store’s community champion Caroline Dean.

She accepted it on behalf of staff who have pledged to raise money by cycling for 24 hours on an exercise bike in the store.

The charity cyclists will attempt the feat in relay early next month and are now looking for another local company to pass the torch on to.

Allegra Holbrook, hospice community fundraiser, said: “The trainees who made the torch have done an absolutely fantastic job.

“They have done it all for free and it is amazing, we are really impressed.”

The Pass the Torch campaign was launched by the hospice to help it battle through the recession, which has badly affected the level of donations it has received.

Allegra hopes it will inspire local workers to come up with novel ways of helping towards the mammoth £1.2 million fundraisers have to bring in every year towards the £1.6 million running costs.

Still looking for a company to become the second torch holder, she said: “The next event must be bigger than the 24-hour bike ride — defined in terms of people involved, distance travelled, space used, the possibilities are endless.”

She explained the idea was to split the load of an event between many people, such as 26 running a mile each to cover the distance of a marathon.

To get involved, or to discuss ideas contact Allegra on 0161-624 9984 or e-mail allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk.

To make a contribution to the appeal, log on to www.justgiving.com/PassTheTorch