Fundraisers celebrate special night to mark cash raising efforts for Dorset charity (From Dorset Echo)
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Fundraisers celebrate special night to mark cash raising efforts for Dorset charity
11:30am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in News
By Rachel Stretton
CONGRATULATED: The Weldmar Go for Gold fundraisers with their certificates at the presentation evening
FUNDRAISERS attended a special night of celebration to mark their achievements in helping to raise more than £11,000 for a Dorset charity.
Supporters of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’s Go for Gold campaign received a certificate and medal thanking them for their efforts, with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes on hand to present them.
With money still to come in, the total of the Dorset Echo-backed campaign now stands at £11,500.
Mr Fellowes spoke of the ‘extraordinary achievements’ of the fundraisers.
He said: “I am very honoured to be here tonight. We are always being told the world is becoming a more selfish place, but an evening like this does give one heart.
“All of you have given your time, money and effort to help people you do not know, and make the end of their lives easier for them and their families. I really am in awe of you.”
The trust runs the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester, as well as day hospices in Weymouth and Shaftesbury, and dozens of county-wide services for those with long-term illnesses and their families.
Friends and family of the fundraisers applauded as details were heard of the challenges people completed in aid of the trust, from physical activities to personal goals.
Readers who got involved were inspired by the work of the staff and volunteers, with many raising money in memory of parents, grandparents and friends.
Community fundraiser Matt Smith, who organised the campaign, took to the stage at the event at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester to introduce the fundraisers as they came to collect their awards.
He said: “Go for Gold was all about having fun, and the funds raised will go towards helping patients and their families throughout Dorset.”
Chair of the trust, Dr Geoffrey Guy, paid tribute to Matt’s hard work.
To the fundraisers, he added: “We thank you all sincerely for all your help in raising an enormous amount of money.”
Director of fundraising, Caroline Nickinson, said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate what the fundraisers have done in aid of the hospice.
“It is a marvellous achievement.”
