Grantham community raises thousands of pounds for St Barnabas Hospice, with more events to come

A hospice has provided an update after receiving thousands of pounds of donations from across the Grantham community.

St Barnabas Hospice has seen a very busy time in Grantham lately, thanks multiple fundraisers in the community.

Groups and businesses organised events in aid of the charity, collecting a total surpassing £10,000 that will go towards the town’s hospice and wellbeing centre.

Fiona Malloch-Rear, community and events fundraising officer for St Barnabas, said: “Their dedication to raising money for the charity means that St Barnabas are able to continue their incredible work at the Hospice in the Hospital, at Barrowby Road Wellbeing Centre and around the county with the hospice at home nurses.”

After the Rotary Club of Grantham Kesteven hosted its 20th annual golf competition at Belton Park Golf Club, St Barnabas’ volunteer ambassador Rosje East attended the cheque presentation which saw £1,750 donated.

Moy Park donated £1,000 as part of their 80th birthday celebrations, as well as £1,800 from a group that did the Three Peak Challenge on behalf of the charity.

The Inner Wheel group has also donated £100 from collecting loose change over the year.

The team at Cross Keys Tattoo in Welby Street held a charity tattoo event on Friday October 13 and raised £2,700.

Across 14 hours from 11am until 1am, the studio’s four artists tattooed a staggering 180 people between them.

Fiona also gave a “huge thank you” to Darren Mason from Centrebus, who drove his Halloween decorated bus around town in October and raised £900 in donations from customers. He hopes to do this again for Christmas.

Long-time supporter Rob Dixon held a charity fundraiser at Finkins, in High Street, on Saturday November 11.

The event raised money for St Barnabas Hospice, the BHive Community Hub and Grantham Vulnerable Pensioners.

There was a basket meal, live entertainment, a raffle and auction prizes. On the night, £3,100 was raised and a large proportion of that will go towards items for the hospice in Grantham.

Fiona added: “A massive thank you to Rob for his ongoing support.”

There are still events to come this year that will support St Barnabas, with many themed around Christmas.

A St Barnabas-themed Christmas tree will be in place at St Wulfram’s annual festival, which begins this week.

The decorations were donated by The Grantham Christmas Pop Up Shop, which will run from Tuesday to Sunday (December 3).

Two homes in Grantham have been lit up to raise money for the charity. One is Simon Haynes of 9 Becketts Close and the other is Stephen and Susan Storey, of 2 Wentworth Drive.

There will be a St Barnabas stall at the Grantham Christmas Fayre on Sunday December 3 at the Market Place and Westgate from 11am to 5pm, where you can play the St Barnabas tombola and buy merchandise.

The charity is also looking for some sponsored runners in this year’s Rotary Club Grantham Santa Fun Run and Walk on Sunday December 10.

After the success of their event in October, where they raised over £240, Ian Parker from local band ‘Outside Chance’ is organising another night of music at Edward’s Bar in the Market Place on Friday January 5 from 7pm to 11pm.

This will be in memory of their former band member Gordon, who sadly passed away in the care of St Barnabas recently.

The band plays rock/pop music and want to raise some money for St Barnabas on the night.

Suzanne Sheppard is organising a ball in memory of her sister, Caroline at Belton Woods Hotel on July 13, with all monies raised going to support the work of St Barnabas.

Tickets are £50 and there will be a three-course meal, a raffle and music from local bands.