Events lined-up to boost cash-strapped hospice (From Stourbridge News)

Events lined-up to boost cash-strapped hospice

10:20am Thursday 20th August 2009

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A HOST of events have been lined-up to help pull in the pounds for Stourbridge’s cash-strapped hospice, which is facing a tough time this year.

Mary Stevens Hospice in Oldswinford, which has just marked its tenth anniversary, needs to raise £2.2million running costs each year - but as the recession continues to hit charities hard it is predicted to make a loss this year.

Dedicated staff, volunteers and fundraisers - however - say they are determined to meet the challenge so they can continue to make a difference to those battling terminal cancer, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease, end stage renal or heart disease and AIDS.

And, with help from big-hearted members of the public - who have organised and taken part in all manner of fundraisers, they are well on their way.

Staff at Stourbridge firm Prospect Joinery will be holding their annual charity football match against West Bromwich All Stars on Thursday August 27 in aid of the hospice.

The event,,starting at 7.30pm at Dudley Sports and Social Club, Brierley Hill, will see staff members taking on the likes of popular Albion players such as Cyrille Regis, Richard Sneekes, Gary Hackett, Nicky Cross and Lindsay Cooper.

Admission to the event is £2 for adults.

Janet Jones, fundraising development manager at the hospice, said: “We really appreciate the enthusiasm and support that Prospect Joinery give to Mary Stevens Hospice on such a regular basis and would like to thank the players from both teams.”

Friends and family of tragic Scott Briney who died in December 2007 aged 25, are organising a charity gig in his memory to help give the hospice a boost.

Scottfest 09 will see a host of bands taking to the stage at Stourbridge’s River Rooms on Sunday September 27.

Tickets cost £5 and are available from Stourbridge Music Centre, Lower High Street, Stourbridge; or The River Rooms, or online at www.squashedcob.com The hospice’s seventh annual ‘big draw’ has also pulled in a few extra pounds for the Hagley Road charity.

Selling 68,105 tickets at £1 each - more than ever before in a big draw - the event proved a big hit...not least for a lucky 92-year-old woman from Old Hill who won the top £6,000 cash prize (turning down the alternative prize of a Peugeot 107).

Diane Moore, lottery field manager, said: “Without the support and generosity of the public, the promotion would not have achieved the level of success that it has, and the number of tickets sold suggests we have succeeded in raising the profile of both the hospice and its lottery.”

Meanwhile - ten-year-old Pedmore kickboxer Lewis Relph, a pupil at Ham Dingle Primary School, raised £100 for the hospice by completing a ten-mile bike ride around Mary Stevens Park on August 9.

Simon Richards from Wollaston raised more than £800 by cycling with pal Paul Lewis from Lands End to John O’Groats.

Gutsy Simon even carried on with the 11-day challenge after injury-stricken Paul was forced to abandon the ride at Fort William.

Anyone wishing to add to his sponsorship total can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/simonrichards Even Lynda Waltho has been doing her bit to help the hospice. The Stourbridge MP handed over a cheque for £400 which she raised by completing the hospice’s Midnight Walk in May.

Stourbridge publican Chris Foxall from The Crown in Hagley Road hopes to raise thousands by organising another charity fun day on Sunday August 30, kicking off at 2.30pm.

Last year he raised £7,550 and he hopes to raise a similar amount from this year’s event - which will include a barbecue, face-painting, bouncy castle, charity auction and music from the Starving Rascals, Perfect Stranger and Eddie Morton.

Tickets, priced £10 for adults and £5 for youngsters, are available from the pub.

New Stourbridge art gallery ‘aa-rt’ in Market Street plans to donate five per cent of its June and July sales to the hospice.

And to help boost the coffers further the hospice fundraising team is inviting adventurous cyclists to take part in a London to Paris bike ride in aid of the charity - or have a go at its clay shoot day in Kinver later this year.

Taking place at The Cross Shooting Ground on Saturday October 3, the event is suitable for beginners and professionals alike and costs £12 per person for 20 clays.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, to hold an event in aid of the hospice or to find out more about any of the above fundraisers can call 01384 377778 or go to website www.marystevenshospice.co.uk

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