New Ascot Fundraising Group for Thames Hospicecare

Thames Hospicecare (THc) held a very encouraging open evening at the Royal Berkshire Hotel, London Road, Ascot on Monday 22nd March, to highlight the work it does at the Hospice, with the aim of launching an Ascot fundraising group.

The THc Fundraising Groups play an important role in raising vital funds for the Hospice and it is essential that there is a representative group in as many local areas as possible.    Organisers are looking for enthusiastic people who would like to give something back to their local community.

The evening was hosted by speakers, happy to share their experiences of vwork and volunteering  for the Hospice. including Laura Rae (who leads community services, based at the Ascot centre in the grounds of Heatherwood), Rosemary Webb (Senior Sister in Windsor, where she manages the 17 in -patient beds), Roz Fortescue (Chair of the Maidenhead Fundraising Group) and Sue Lindsey ( Fundraising and Marketing Manager). Sue explained that the community raises three quarters of the £4 million a year needed by the Hospice (NHS pays the rest)  and that the Fundraising Groups are a vital and reliable element of the community contribution, which includes  the 16 shops and events such  Sunrise Walk .   

It was explained that there used to be an Ascot group, but this had faded, leaving groups in Maidenhead, Windsor, Bracknell, Eton and Wraysbury. The evening  was successful in sowing the seeds of a group which will focus on Ascot/Sunninghill/Sunningdale. Around 25 people attended the meeting; some of the committee posts and several potential members were recruited. Further volunteers will now be very welcome to get in touch.

Claire Sugg,(Community and Events Fundraiser) stressed that a great deal of support would be available for the groups and  said that the work was likely to be extremely rewarding. Anyone interested in discovering more about this vital, new venture, is invited to contact Claire on 01753 848927 or email: c This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it