Generous staff at Peterborough companies vow to help hospice for second year running

Two prominent Peterborough businesses have just signed up to work for the city's Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice for a second year.
Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, in Peterborough.  EMN-160114-161907001Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, in Peterborough.  EMN-160114-161907001
Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, in Peterborough. EMN-160114-161907001

Medical devices company Coloplast UK, of Peterborough Business Park, in Lynch Wood, and Dobbies Garden Centre, in Hampton, have vowed to raise vital funds for the hospice, in Longthorpe.

A number of smaller companies are also planning to get involved in fundraising and volunteering to support the hospice team to care for patients and their families.

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The hospice has to raise 50 per cent of the £2.8 million it spends each year on its services.

Judith Wojtowicz.Judith Wojtowicz.
Judith Wojtowicz.

Thorpe Hall community fundraiser Nilesh Patel said: “We regularly highlight the benefits to businesses of working with charities.

“The fact companies are asking to work with us again demonstrates it’s a two way relationship.”

Coloplast HR business partner Kelly Rippon said: “Working with Thorpe Hall Hospice has truly made a difference to our business.

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“We are energised to work in partnership for this fantastic cause. It brings out the competitive side in our staff.”

Judith Wojtowicz.Judith Wojtowicz.
Judith Wojtowicz.

Coloplast staff staged running and biking events and held bake sales and dress down days. They also entered a team in the Dragon Boat Festival.

They hit their £10,000 fundraising target and have doubled that target figure for the coming year.

Staff at Dobbies will be encouraging customers to get involved and organising staff events.

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Mr Patel said: “This kind of activity works really well for us.

“Dobbies staff support Thorpe Hall and we’re able to raise awareness with their customers too.

“And Dobbies charitable partnership with the hospice is a demonstration of their commitment to the community in which they operate.

He added: “Working alongside a charity can have big benefits in terms of boosting workplace morale, raising brand awareness and increasing staff engagement.

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“We work really closely with businesses to make sure their goals sit alongside ours.”

Support does not have to mean raising funds.

Staff at Rawlinsons Chartered Accountants gave hours of time volunteering and Serpentine Green Shopping Centre has hosted launch events and collections.

Mr Patel said: “It costs £2.8 million a year to provide our services and we have to raise around half of that. That’s a big figure and we value the help of businesses, groups and individuals from across the region to reach it.”

The fundraising team have recruited a few dedicated and experienced ambassador volunteers, including Judith Wojtowicz, to help advise and liaise with potential and existing business partners.

To support Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice email [email protected] or call 01733 225999.