in touch Spring 17_stage 2

in touch
Spring 2017
Our exciting new
event revealed
Pages 4-5
Russell’s story
Pages 8-9
Charity no 1108298
www.thameshospice.org.uk

Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 3
NEW!
10 Sept
2017
Berkshire’s first Bubble-filled 5k fun run
Windsor Racecourse
from noon
Support your local
Hospice and sign up today
Call 01753 842121 or visit
www.thameshospice.org.uk/bubblerush
Welcome to the
spring edition of
In Touch magazine
As we emerge from the winter months, I think it’s worth reflecting
on the festive season and just how busy things have been at the
Hospice. Sadly, people don’t stop needing our care at Christmas
and our patient and family services were full. This is also the
busiest season for our Fundraising and Retail teams.
It was lovely to see so many of you at
our events, including Light up a Life, the
Santa Dash, our Eton College Service
and Wellington Carol Concert. We had
the most successful season ever and I
would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for supporting us. I’m always
inspired by the sight of more than 600
Santas dashing through Swinley Forest
– it really does kick-start the festivities.
Our shops too were extremely busy
during the festive season, and I hope
those of you who visited them were as
impressed as I was with their decorations
and seasonal sparkle! You can read
about how we achieve our eye-catching
displays on page 10. We also opened
a new store in Amersham Old Town;
if you haven’t already, please do visit
and see what treasures you can find.
Looking forwards, we have lots of
news for you. As I write this, we are
on the cusp of submitting our planning
application for our proposed new
site, and are incredibly excited by the
opportunity to be able to offer more
care to our community. If we are
granted planning permission, you
will be the first to know and hope you
will be able to support us in making
About Thames Hospice
our ambition to have a new building
by 2020 a reality.
Continuing our expansion plans across
retail, we will shortly be opening a
new store in Maidenhead to replace
our much-loved existing shop, which
is being impacted by the regeneration
scheme. We will continue to open
two new stores throughout the year.
As well as new shops, we have two
brand new fundraising events for 2017 –
a China Trek in October and Bubble Rush
in September. The Bubble Rush is the first
and only event of its kind in Berkshire
and you can find out all about it on
page 5. I promise to take part if you do!
Finally, I’d like to thank you for all for
your continued support. We might
sound a bit like a record on repeat,
but with only 20% NHS funding, without
you we simply could not fund our
vital care, or continue to work with
our peers to keep palliative and
end-of-life care firmly on the agenda.
Best Wishes
Debbie Raven
Chief Executive
Thames Hospice is the local charity for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East
Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. A vital part of our work is also supporting their
loved ones.
We care for the physical, social and psychological needs of our patients, not just the
condition. Our highly skilled medical team works with the patient and their family and
carers to develop a complete support programme tailored to their individual needs.
It costs more than £7million every year to keep our Hospice running. We rely on 80%
of our income from charitable donations, which enables us to provide our services free
of charge, 365 days a year, to the people who need us.
Inside
Latest news 4-5
A day in the
life of a Nurse 6
Gifts in Wills 7
Russell’s story 8-9
Meet our store
Visual Merchandiser 10
Thank yous 11
Thames Hospice, Pine Lodge,
Hatch Lane, Windsor,
Berkshire SL4 3RW
Call us 01753 842121
Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk
Follow us
Charity no 1108
Charity No 1108298

4
Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 5
Latest news headlines
NEW!
Five
minutes
with…
Linda has been Head of our Inpatient Services
since January this year. Having trained as a nurse
not far from the Hospice, at King Edward V11
Hospital, she went on to work at Wexham Park
Hospital and spent 23 years as a District Nurse.
She lives with her husband in Flackwell Heath and
has a son who is 22 and a 19-year-old daughter.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
“I have overall management of staff, visitors and patients on the
Inpatient Unit. It’s 40% clinical, because if you don’t work out
on the unit or appreciate what staff are going through, then how
can you run it? It’s 60% management – maintaining standards,
making sure nurses are up-to-scratch with their care, risk
assessments, health and safety, audits and various other things.”
What do you love about your job?
“I love the patient contact and making a difference to them
and their families. To be able to go home at the end of the
day and instantly know ‘that went really well’, or that I really
helped someone.
“Before I came here I spoke to a friend of mine who was a
district nurse and left to do something else, and I asked her
whether she missed district nursing, because that was the
thing I was really worried about coming here. But actually,
it’s been really good. I feel quite sad to think that since
I’ve been here I haven’t really missed it, but I think that’s
because you still get that patient contact. I’ve just slotted
in… so everyone keeps saying, anyway!
“It’s nice to work for a smaller organisation – it’s more personable,
there are less emails and you get the one-to-one time instead.”
What does Hospice care mean to you?
“Hospice care is being able to provide care for patients and
their families at a holistic level. Where I have worked before
you can’t always do that and certainly not the psychological
support that they get here – it makes a big difference and
it’s second to none.”
Tell us something people might not know about you…
“I did the Tough Mudder challenge in Henley in 2015. A few
of the people at the gym were trying to get people together,
so I signed up for it. I run and I like keeping fit, but I kept
getting injured training as I upped it. I’m the sort of person
that if you sign up to something you do it, so even though
I didn’t do all the obstacles I completed the course.”
Donation Station success
Martin-Baker, the world’s leading manufacturer of ejection
and crashworthy seats, was the first organisation to host a
Thames Hospice Donation Station.
Companies, including Housing Solutions, F Hinds and C A
Technologies, have also taken up our newest retail initiative,
where employees can bring their pre-loved clothes, jewellery,
homeware, books, CDs and DVDs into work and drop them
into our Donation Station. The Retail Team will arrange to drop
off the assembled station and pick up the items when it’s full.
Robert Martin, Director, Martin-Baker, based in Denham, said:
“I believe a large proportion of our employees, their family
and friends will at some time rely on the care and support that
hospices such as Thames Hospice provide. It is therefore very
fitting that we facilitate our employees in being able to donate
items at their workplace, to help raise vital funds for the Hospice.”
The donations will be used to stock our growing portfolio
of shops and every penny raised from items sold, will fund
our expert palliative and end-of-life care. If you would like
a Donation Station, or know someone who might, visit
www.thameshospice.org.uk/donationstation, call 01753 847408
or email annie.campbell@thameshospiceshops.org
Your spare change can help us change lives. By simply sorting
out any foreign notes or coins left over from holidays or
business trips, we will work with Cash4Coins to turn them into
useful donations for us.
Any old British or Irish currency, old decimal coins or farthings,
1d pennies, shillings or crowns will be accepted, as well as any
and all foreign currency – including Dollars, Marks and Pesetas.
We will have a ‘Foreign Currency’ collection bucket on the
reception desk at our Hospice in Hatch Lane, Windsor, or
simply drop these into our yellow
collection boxes in shops and
businesses around Berkshire
and Buckinghamshire.
10 Sept
2017
Berkshire’s First Bubble Rush
We’re holding Berkshire’s very first Bubble Rush! Taking place at Windsor
Racecourse on Sunday 10 September, this is a 5k fun run with a difference.
Foam canons will blast out a sea of coloured bubbles as you, your colleagues,
family and friends, walk or run this brand new event to raise funds for us.
To find out more, or to be part of Berkshire’s first Bubble Rush, visit
www.thameshospice.org.uk/bubblerush #bubblerush5k
Sunflower Walk
Our Sunflower Walk is back! You can
choose to walk a 13k, 6.5k or 4k route
around the stunning Virginia Water,
in Surrey, to support us.
Taking place on Saturday 20 May from 10am, this is
an event for all ages and abilities… not forgetting your
four-legged friends. On the day, there will be children’s
entertainment and refreshments, plus a medal for everyone
who crosses the finish line. Registration is now open at
www.thameshospice.org.uk/sunflowerwalk For our
full challenge programme, check out our fundraising
events leaflet enclosed.
A Short Film
About Us
We are thrilled to be able
to announce the launch of ‘A
Short Film About Us’, a project
we’ve been lucky enough to
work on with world-renowned
Broadcasting and Media Production Company, Special Treats.
We are honoured the team – who have worked on countless box
office smashes, including Bond and Star Wars – so generously
donated their time, free of charge, to create what we think is a
truly inspiring short film capturing the essence of Thames Hospice.
To view A Short Film About Us,
visit www.thameshospice.org.uk
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn
for more news, views and snapshots of Hospice life
Star-studded celebration
Our Old Amersham shop, at 2-4 The Broadway, has continued
to shine after its star-studded launch in December.
Singer, dancer and TV presenter, Rosemarie Ford, and a surprise
visit from her husband, much-loved actor, Robert Lindsay, drew
shoppers to get a first look at our sought-after donations of
clothes, accessories and upcycled homeware. Upstairs, there
is a dedicated Home Studio department, where customers can
purchase Frenchic furniture paint and stylish homeware items,
upcycled by a creative team of volunteers. The shop is open
Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday, 11am-5pm.
The opening weekend generated more than £3,000 – enough to
fund around three days’ care on our Inpatient Unit, and the shop
continues to thrive. Rosemarie was joined by other special guests,
including Councillor Mark Vivis, who has since visited the Hospice
to see the other ways he can support our work.
This month will see our Maidenhead shop move onto the High
Street, opposite Marks and Spencer. Keep an eye out on our
website or social media channels for details of our launch event.

6 Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 7
Caring for the future
Are you a nurse or do you
know someone who is?
We have opportunities for newly qualified and
experienced Staff Nurses to join our wonderful team.
Whether you are returning to nursing after a break or looking
for bank work, we need you to continue delivering expert
nursing care and make the difference to local people at
life’s most difficult time.
We are experts in palliative and end-of-life care and can
offer you flexible hours in a supportive workplace, where the
welfare of patients and families is at the centre of everything
we do. We work in collaboration with local healthcare
providers and take an innovative approach to developing
new patient-centred services in a small, friendly organisation.
Nursing at
Thames Hospice
“My name is Anne Jones; I am
a Sister on the Inpatient unit
and have worked at the Hospice
for 10 years. I have been a
registered nurse since 1984
and worked on acute wards
and a surgical unit before
joining Thames Hospice.
As the nurse in charge, I am responsible for the day-to-day
running of the Inpatient Unit and the quality of nursing care
– ensuring patients’ physical, psychological and spiritual
care needs are met, as well as supporting their families.
“Patients may come to the Hospice to have their symptoms
– such as nausea and pain – controlled, to provide respite care
for their families and, of course, some patients come to us
for end-of-life care. Our goal is to provide holistic care to
patients and families each and every day – supporting them
through their life-changing journeys.
“People who are coping with life-limiting conditions are
sometimes frightened about coming into a hospice as some
people think that the only reason you come into the Hospice
is because you are facing the end of your life. But many
patients come to the Hospice for a few days because they
are experiencing symptoms they are finding difficult to
manage, and once these symptoms have been managed
they can go home.
“I feel privileged to work at the Hospice and our staff are
committed to maintaining our excellent standards of care at
all times. No one knows what the future holds and any one
of us may need the services of the Hospice during our lives,
so we all need to help patients and families live every moment
of each day and help create memories for them to cherish.
“I became a nurse because I have always felt compassionate
about providing care to people who need it. I enjoy helping
people and it’s rewarding to offer support, knowing that
I may have given comfort to someone at a vulnerable time.
My decision to be a nurse came early on in my life and my
passion to achieve this grew over time. For me, palliative
and end-of-life care is where I feel I can make a difference,
and at the end of my shift I know that I’ve done something
worthwhile and made a positive impact on someone’s life.”
Find our current vacancies, meet the team and learn more about what it’s like
to work at Thames Hospice, at www.thameshospice.org.uk/workwithus
or call 01753 848929.
We took a few moments to chat with Jeannetta,
who volunteers on our reception, about why she
supports the Hospice, and what made her decide
to leave Thames Hospice a gift in her Will.
Why do you support the Hospice?
“My father died of cancer in hospital. His medical care was commendable, but
little thought or consideration was given to my mother during this stressful time.
For this reason, I especially appreciate the Hospice’s holistic approach for the
patient and their family.
Thames Hospice is
so well respected in the
community – almost
everyone knows someone
who has been helped by
the Hospice – so it was
the first place I chose
to volunteer after
I retired early.
What do you do at the Hospice?
“20 years ago I began as a Volunteer Driver and helped in what was the Day Hospice.
Immediately I learned how much the Hospice meant to patients and their carers.
One chap, who lived alone, would say when I collected him, ‘This is the best day of
my week; I smile the minute your car comes into view to take me to the Hospice.’
“Now I’m on reception, I see how much our visitors appreciate the Hospice’s care
and compassion. Visitors often comment on how relieved and grateful they are
that their loved one is in our care.”
What made you decide to leave a gift to Thames Hospice?
“As I have supported the Hospice for over 20 years now, it seems natural to
continue that support with a gift in my Will. It gives me great satisfaction to know
I will be giving further support to the work I keenly supported in my lifetime.”
What do you hope your gift will achieve?
“Providing exceptional resources and generous staff-to-patient ratios comes at
a substantial, ever-increasing, cost. I hope my gift in my Will, will help the Hospice
to continue to offer their excellent care, free of charge, to patients and families
at a critical, vulnerable time in their lives.”
How did you find the process of making a gift in your will?
“It was very straightforward. It was easy to do with a solicitor and any solicitor will
know the right wording to help you achieve what you want. You can even amend
an existing will if you wish.”
We have recently produced a Gifts in Wills Guide to help supporters like Jeannetta.
If you would like a copy, or want to hear more about gifts in Wills, call 01753 842121
or email stuart.munday@thameshospice.org.uk
Our Fundraising
Promise
Do you know about our Fundraising
Promise? This is our promise to you, our
supporters, about how Thames Hospice
raises money and the security of your
personal details.
We are members of both the Institute of
Fundraising and the Fundraising Regulator,
following the code of practice to maintain
a high standard of fundraising. We do not
share our supporters’ details with anyone;
we only ever use your details to thank you
for your support, send details of ways you
can continue to support us, and to update
you on what is happening at the Hospice,
like with this edition of In Touch.
Everyone at Thames Hospice really values
your ongoing support and our relationship
with you, which is why we have set out our
commitments to you in our Fundraising
Promise. For more information, please
see www.thameshospice.org.uk/
ourfundraisingpromise
Thank you for your continued support.
Neil Harman, Director of Fundraising
Help us raise
thousands of pounds
We are looking for outgoing and proactive
people with a good knowledge of their
local community, to help us distribute
our collection boxes.
Our collection boxes generate more
than £12,000 every year, an important
contribution to our fundraising activities.
As a Collection Box Coordinator, you would
be managing the placement and pick-up of
collection boxes in organisations including
pubs, shops and offices. We are particularly
looking for volunteers in Crowthorne,
Gerrards Cross, Marlow, Wokingham
and Uxbridge.
The support you provide will make a big
difference to our Fundraising Team and,
most importantly, to our patients and
their families. If you could spare some
time on a regular basis, with flexible hours
to suit you, then please get in touch with
Sandra or Alison on 01753 842121.

8 Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 9
Russell with Hospice Nurse XXXXX
Russell’s Story
“If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t be alive”
Diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2016 and
living with an increasing level of pain, Russell Lewis tried
to remain at home – caring for himself and staying
motivated by planning daily trips and tasks. But when
a train ride to see his daughter landed him in hospital,
he was referred to Thames Hospice and has been
receiving symptom control and respite care ever since.
Top:
Thames Hospice
garden, Russells
favourite places
Bottom:
Russell with Hospice
Nurse XXXXX
Aged 42, Russell has always been fiercely independent after
being taken into care at the age of five. He said: “I had an
unfortunate start in life – my parents had problems with drugs,
alcohol and crime and felt the need to take their frustrations
out on me and my little brother. But I always stood in the way,
taking a lot of physical violence and abuse, and eventually the
police and social services took me and my brother into care.”
He continued: “Coming to Thames Hospice, that’s one thing I
have given into. When I came here, I had a high pain threshold,
but nurses were saying ‘please let us help you’, but I’ve always
done it myself, so asking someone else to help me was difficult.
I never really knew there were people in the world who
were that compassionate and wanting to help, but there are
people here who want to help you so much they find it almost
offensive when you don’t ask and then worry about you. I saw
that, recognised it, and now I ask for help when I need help.”
Russell has lived in places up and down the M4 corridor –
from his birth home in Chelsea’s World’s End Estate, to
children’s homes in Henley-on-Thames, Wales and the
Cotswolds, as well as facing many years on the streets.
He has now made Slough his home – a place he praises for
its diversity and close links to the towns and countryside he
loves. He feels that because of his lifestyle, when he reported
his symptoms to healthcare professionals, they were more
concerned about his mental health and potential for physical
violence – something Russell doesn’t agree with. He believes
this led to six trips to A&E and a subsequent late diagnosis,
by which point it was too late for treatment. He said: “Because
of the life that I’ve come from, it’s automatically presumed I’m
violent, a drug addict and an alcoholic, but I’m not. My doctor
was only giving me morphine for my pain and it was really
bad for me; it stopped me eating and I lost all my weight.
If it wasn’t for coming to Thames Hospice, I really believe that
by now I would have been gone. I was at home and literally
pulling myself across the floor with no care or medication.”
At Thames Hospice, we believe everyone has the right to
die with compassion and dignity. Anyone aged 18 and over
facing a life-limiting illness – whether that is cancer, illnesses
resulting from addiction, heart disease or neurological
illnesses, including Motor Neurone Disease and Dementia –
can be referred to access our free, 24-hour care. Our ethos
is built on providing holistic care and patients are admitted
based on their personal circumstances as much as their
immediate medical needs. With Russell living alone and his
health deteriorating, he is being cared for at Thames Hospice
whilst the clinical team finds a suitable care home for him.
Russell is deeply religious and has a huge passion for music
– playing the guitar, a skill he learnt on the streets to make
money rather than turning to crime. When he is well enough,
he plays here in The Sanctuary – an indoor and outdoor space
used for relaxation and day therapies. He said: “It helps me
to play outside; I get lost in my own music. A lot of people
today suffer with mental health problems, like me, and when
they can relate to another person and it’s my music that’s
soothing that, it’s an amazing connection.
“The Hospice has meant living, I’m alive. I honestly believe
that. If I hadn’t come here I wouldn’t be alive. The first week
I couldn’t do anything, then I started eating – I hadn’t eaten
properly for months. I had lost so much weight, I wasn’t on any
pain relief, and it was the people here who tried to help me.”
It’s not only the patient we care for, our spiritual, counselling,
respite and therapy services are all available to patients’
loved ones. Russell is father to four children he loves dearly,
and remains close to their mothers and subsequent children.
He has a few good friends, one of which he classes as a brother
and who he credits for helping him through his tough times.
He said: “Being here, it helps them to understand a bit more.
I know when I was out there living by myself and I tried to talk
to them about how I was feeling, it was quite difficult because
it upset them. But when they come here, they can see it more
and understand more; they can ask more questions and it puts
them more at ease. It’s easier for me to talk to the people
I love and for them to talk back to me about the reality of
what’s happening. I think it definitely helps them knowing
I’m safe and being looked after so well here. Gosh, this is a
nice place to be. It’s peaceful, it’s relaxing, I only have to see
a member of the team and I don’t have to think anymore –
I know I am safe and alright straight away.”
Thames Hospice is dedicated to the complex needs of the
diverse catchment area we serve and our vision is, and always
will be, quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone. Russell
finished: “The first children’s home I was in had a garden
exactly like the Hospice one, the same shape, and at the back of
the lawn was an oak tree, just like yours, and it was a focal point
of my life growing up. Then I came here, looked outside, looked
at that tree and thought ‘Wow Russ, you’re back in your garden
again’, and that’s quite a weird and calming thought. They are
good memories and it’s peace for me. I go in the gardens a lot
and I like listening for the birds – it’s a lovely garden.
This place is amazing – I love it here.
All the people who work here are absolutely
amazing. I think that if I hadn’t come here,
I’d be dead by now… and if I wasn’t dead,
I’d be in a really bad way, so thank you.

10
Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 11
Standing out from the crowd
My name is Jessica Manderston and I am the
Visual Merchandising Manager for Thames Hospice.
Thank you
for making a difference
Hear from
a volunteer
Iwona, who volunteers weekly at
our Gerrards Cross store, spoke
to us about her experiences as a
Visual Merchandising Volunteer.
“The store is very different from
other charity shops and we are always
re-merchandising to make the store
inviting and attractive. I was a Fashion
Buyer for Fenwicks before I retired
and volunteering here has let me
be creative with fashion again. This
is a different experience from high
street merchandising, as you get
such a variation of items in the store.
It’s really fun to work with the shop
manager to theme colours and make
the store look its best. Giving time back
to Thames Hospice is very rewarding
and I really enjoy my role here as I like
chatting to the local community.”
Volunteers are vital to the
success of Thames Hospice
and we’re always looking
for more volunteers across our
17 shops. We are currently seeking
Retail Assistants and a number of
specialist vacancies – including Visual
Merchandising Assistants and people
with muscle to move heavy items.
The hours are very flexible so you
can fit volunteering around you.
If you want to help, please visit our
website www.thameshospice.org.uk/
volunteer or contact Jennifer Bird,
Head of Volunteering, by emailing
jennifer.bird@thameshospice.org.uk
or call 01753 848945.
The aim of visual merchandising is to
present a retail space that attracts and
engages customers and, in turn, maximises
sales. Visual Merchandising incorporates
everything from the store layout, lighting,
fixtures and fittings, to the window
display, shop signage, housekeeping and
picking background music customers will
enjoy. All of these elements have a huge
influence on the customer experience
and are key to encouraging customers
to shop with us again.
I have worked in visual merchandising roles
for large retailers including Marks and
Spencer, House of Fraser and most recently
Thomas Pink. My professional background
is very much in high street retail, but I have
always had a real passion for charity and
vintage shopping. For me, it’s not just
about finding a bargain but the shopping
experience as a whole. I love browsing the
eclectic mix of products, finding hidden
gems and also knowing that my money
is supporting a worthwhile cause.
The role of a visual merchandiser is
common in high end and high street
retailers and these companies will often
have a dedicated department of visual
specialists. However, specific visual
merchandising roles are a fairly new
concept in the charity retail sector. This
was prompted by retail expert Mary
Portas’ work with Save the Children in
2009, where she helped them to set up
a new range of charity shops inspired by
the interior of designer stores. With the
success of these shops, the importance
of innovative visual merchandising within
charity retail became a real focus. My boss
and Thames Hospice’s Director of Retail,
Julie Rowley, is very passionate about the
look and feel of our stores and standing
out from the crowd. My role was created
following this trend and, since starting, I
have implemented clearer visual guidelines
which I share with our store managers,
to ensure a consistent look across our 17
I’m really proud of our
achievements so far and am
looking forward to working
on new projects with our
wonderful team of staff
and volunteers.
stores. This helps us offer our customers
the latest trends, and this is proving to be
effective both commercially and visually.
Our stores raise roughly a third of the
Hospice’s income and this helps my
frontline colleagues to provide free expert
care to the local community. With such
high income targets, my day-to-day role
is very busy, and in the last year we
have also opened three new stores; in
Gerrards Cross, Farnham Common and
Old Amersham. We have also refitted
our established stores in Sunninghill and
Binfield to offer our customers a more
inviting and inspiring environment. Last
year, we introduced a specialised Visual
Merchandising Volunteer role, to help us
sustain our high-quality merchandising
across the stores. This role allows us to
offer new volunteer roles, where people
can use their skills and creativity to help
shop managers with floor displays and
merchandising new stock.
3M, the science-based technology company, in Bracknell,
chose to support us in 2016. They hosted staff fundraising
challenges, fairs and raffles and generated an amazing
£2,700. Our Trusts and Grants Fundraiser, Helen Saich,
visited them to pick up the cheque and congratulate them
on their stellar efforts.
We would like to thank Mark Cooper for taking part in the
final Tough Guy challenge in January – raising more than
£1,200 for us. This gruelling event involves a 15km run,
sub-zero temperatures, barbed wire and electric shocks!
Before signing up for the event Mark, who
works for ejection seat manufacturer
Martin-Baker, near Uxbridge,
had never run more than 3k.
Mark, we think you’re amazing!
Fundraising Groups
With demand for our services rising every year, the
amount we must raise to continue delivering our expert
care increases. This means we are ever-more reliant on
the hard work and commitment of our fundraising groups,
who tirelessly fundraise on our behalf. We count ourselves
incredibly fortunate to work with these wonderful people,
who in 2016 raised a staggering £90,000 via coffee mornings,
balls, collections and even a magic show.
We would like to use this space to say a very special final
thank you to the wonderful Datchet Fundraising Group.
Known for their bumper, biannual quizzes – which saw more
than 150 people at a time getting quizzical for us – regrettably
they are no longer able to give us their time in an official
capacity. They would like to thank everyone who helped
John Guest Ltd is a British manufacturer that designs and makes
push-fit fittings and pipe for a wide spectrum of industries.
Based in West Drayton, they have supported many Thames
Hospice community and fundraising initiatives since 2004.
John Guest’s staff have always been incredibly generous and
enthusiastic and we are so grateful that they have, once again,
chosen to support our Sunflower Walk in May. Their continued
kindness makes such a difference to the help we can provide
for our patients and their families.
Many thanks to Adelie foods, for providing more than
600 sandwiches for our Santa Dash. These were a welcome
treat for dashers who has been working up an appetite on
the course, and to the volunteers and marshals who helped
out on that cold morning. They are currently supporting
us as their Charity of the Year.
The Two Brewers Pub, in Windsor, held its Christmas Carol
‘singalong’ in December, drawing a huge crowd. Every year
this lovely pub raises funds by selling their carol sheets, and
this year they made over £300. There was a great atmosphere
and, although it was a very cold night, the hot drinks kept
everyone warm and and in good voice! We would like to thank
the Two Brewers for their ongoing support.
them raise these funds and we are delighted the group’s
Chairman, Barbara, and Keith Rees will still continue to help
us with the sales from the antiques fairs they can attend.
Over the 30 years together, they have raised an astounding
amount – more than £85,000 since 2007 alone. This is
equivalent to a week’s running costs for the Inpatient
Unit, so you can see just how much the Datchet group has
contributed to the success of Thames Hospice. Thank you
for your hard work and commitment over the years.
If you are interested in joining a fundraising group, or starting
your own, please contact Alison Evans on 01753 848963 or
by emailing alison.evans@thameshospice.org.uk This is a
great way to make friends, learn new skills and play a key
role in your community.