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We’ve done it – and it’s all down to YOU

by Diane Leach
4/10/2008

CAN You Spare A Minute? ... that’s the question we put to our readers on 10 May when we launched our appeal for Springhill Hospice.

And, true to form, you’ve shown that you can.

In fact, you’ve spared about 5,600 minutes and, in the process, raised a spectacular £28,695.

When we launched the campaign to coincide with 25 years of fund-raising for Springhill Hospice, the aim was to collect enough money to refurbish one of the in-patient bays at a cost of £25,000.

Of course, we hoped over the course of the appeal – which runs until next May – there would be enough money to make improvements to a second bay and, perhaps, if the fund-raising really took off, all three.

Less than six months on, we are delighted to announce that the goal has been reached – and surpassed.

With the Observer fund-raising set to continue for another eight months, we are appealing to you, the readers, to continue to back us.

Praising the generosity of local people, Observer editor Claire Mooney said: "I’ve been touched by the many stories about the hospice, many of them from people with first-hand experience of the facility and the people who work there and the volunteers who keep it going.

"The Observer’s links to Springhill go back to the very beginning and I’m delighted we have this opportunity to keep the candle burning and provide a platform for people to show their support."

Over the last few months people have shown their enthusiasm to get involved in many different ways. Some chose to make a donation in lieu of a birthday or anniversary presents, while others put on their running shoes or got on their bikes.

There was ‘Bring a Fiver to Work Day’, bucket collections at football games and other events and there has also been a ladies’ breakfast – thanks to the management of Springhill Hospice – and an anniversary dinner courtesy of Nutters Restaurant.

The appeal even has its own mascot, Robbie the bear, which is selling in the hospice shops and other outlets to boost funds even further.

But, as will be revealed in the Observer over the coming months, we are banking on much more to come.

So please consider making a donation, organising an event or contacting us to discuss your ideas.

Our next milestone is reaching the £50,000 mark, so please spare a minute – or more – and make a donation. Every £5 added to the appeal will make a real difference.

Can we do it? Yes we can – with your generous assistance.