The Virtual Bucket Collection is St Margaret’s Hospice Care’s answer to the collections that have been cancelled over the last few months due to Coronavirus. Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, the charity’s team of volunteers and staff are usually seen working hard at collections in the local community throughout the year. Sadly, this year, the buckets have remained empty.
Last year from these collections alone the kindness and generosity of the Somerset community raised over £8000. This important part of the hospice’s fundraising efforts is being sorely missed. To bridge the gap in funds the charity have created a virtual bucket collection, which they hope the community will donate to. The donation bucket will be open throughout the month of September with regular progress updates on social media.
Kara Frampton, Area Fundraising Manager at St Margaret’s Hospice Care, said: “So many of you support the hospice by donating your change whilst out and about, it is such an important part of our fundraising efforts. Perhaps you could donate the cost of a cup of coffee, or could you donate some of the money you’ve saved on lunch while working from home. As it’s our 40th year, we are hoping to raise £4,000, which will start to bridge the gap from not being able to hold bucket collections. Whether its £2 or £20 your donation will help us continue to care for and support patients and their families across Somerset.”
All money raised from this collection will go towards the care of patients and their families across Somerset. Throughout the pandemic the charity’s care and support has not wavered. The work of clinical teams remains ongoing; staff are visiting patients in your community, supporting families and caring 24/7 in the in-patient unit. The 24-hour adviceline has increasingly become a ‘lifeline’ to patients and families as face to face contact has not been possible.
Elizabeth Yates, one of our longest serving volunteers tell us why its so important to support the campaign:
"I’ve been a volunteer for the hospice for well over 35 years, part of the original fundraising team that raised the money to build the Taunton hospice hub. I started to volunteer as I had witnessed the difference hospice care could make to patients and their families. After moving to Somerset, I wanted to ensure our community had the same opportunity for care and support my family had been privileged to experience in other parts of the country.
“I am proud to be part of an organisation that has embraced hospice care and over the last 40 years Somerset has benefitted from compassionate and patient centred care. I want to make sure that the hospice continues to be able to provide their services, helping over 4,900 people each year. Please give whatever you can to the Virtual Bucket Collection, even small change can make a big difference."
Thank you!