Hospice rallying call to junior supporters

Photo: Picture: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

YOUNG fund-raisers (from the left), Niamh Chalmers (10), Anya Chalmers (7) and Katie Wilson (10) with appeals manager Lisa Pearson.

FUND-RAISERS of the future are being called on by staff at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice to unite.

Caring children are being assembled to secure the future of the local hospice — and they need your help!

A new Young Fund-raiser’s Club has been set up by the hospice to get youngsters on board while providing fun-filled activities for after school.

Children signing up will be issued with their own ID badge, will get free entry to hospice fund-raising events and a quarterly newsletter.

They will also receive a bumper craft set with all the materials needed to make posters and publicise their efforts, as well as fund-raising sheets with handy hints and ideas on how best to raise charity money.

Appeals manager Lisa Pearson said: “We do have a lot of younger people come into the hospice to visit grandparents and sometimes parents, and they are as touched by what goes on here as most are.

“Time and time again we get young people wanting to donate money they have raised by, for example, baking cookies and selling them on.

“These are the supporters of the future and they will grow with us and help us secure the hospice’s place here.”

The fund-raising club, which will be based on an annual subscription, looks set to be a great success, with a teen version already being considered.

And the first willing members have already made a start.

They are sisters Niamh (10) and Anya Chalmers (7) who staged a Woodhouses Wander in aid of the hospice.

The little charity stars from Failsworth enlisted the help of 10-year-old friend Katie Wilson, after their grandad David Wren died at the hospice in July after battling cancer.

Designing posters and distributing flyers, they staged the Sunday morning jog sporting Dr Kershaw’s T-shirts and balloons and have so far raised over £360.

Mum Lindsay Chalmers said: “The nurses are worth their weight in gold because they provide such great support at such a crucial time for families. The girls had such a special relationship with my dad, and if he knew what they had done he would have been immensely proud.”

There was equal praise from Lisa Pearson, who said: “What the girls have done is incredible.

“It shows a real maturity and caring side for children this young to get off their bums, organise this all on their own and do something to raise money.

“It really shows entrepreneurial skill, too, and that’s the kind of youngsters we want in our club.”

If your child wants to become a Dr Kershaw’s fund-raiser, visit www.drkershawshospice.org.uk or contact the appeals office on 0161-624-9984.