As 2024 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the outstanding support our community has shown for the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.
A look back at 2024
This year, we introduced some exciting new events and continued with old favourites, all of which were embraced wholeheartedly by our supporters:
New for 2024:
- Hospice Open Gardens: Welcoming 130 visitors, this event raised an incredible £2,600.
- Tie a Yellow Ribbon: This heartfelt initiative brought the community together to remember loved ones, raising nearly £4,000.
Old favourites:
- 10@10 Late Night Walk: A fantastic 160 participants and 33 volunteers came together to raise an amazing £30,000.
- Christmas Craft Market: The festive spirit was alive and well, bringing in an incredible £5,750, our best ever result.
- Light Up a Life: Over 250 people attended the service, with light dedications and donations on the night raising £9,000.
Coins for the Countess:
In January 2020 we launched Coins for the Countess, where supporters collect 5p pieces to help raise funds for the hospice. Since then we have raised nearly £21,000, which is over 418,000 5p’s!
Both individuals and local businesses collect coins for us, supported by a team of volunteers from the Hospice. One business in particular has made an incredible contribution to our total. The customers of the Newbury Building Society in Andover have this year alone raised nearly £7,500 from their Coins for the Countess collections.
Watch out for some exciting news about our Coins for the Countess collections in 2025!
Friends of the Hospice:
We now have 300 Friends of the Hospice, who support us by making a regular monthly or annual donation. We celebrated their contribution with a special event in July, which highlighted some of the support they enabled us to give.
Innovations in fundraising
In addition to our events, we explored new ways to engage with our supporters:
- Giving Tuesday: On 5 December, we reached our target of raising £3,800 in just 24 hours online, enabling us to purchase a new rise and recliner chair for one of our patient rooms.
- Amazon Wish List: We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of generous supporters who purchased items to directly benefit our patients and staff.
Community fundraising heroes
The passion and creativity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Here are some of the standout efforts from 2024:
- Beth Mathews: Has raised over £3,600 through her Emma Bridgewater sales and was honoured with a Highly Commended Fundraiser Award at the Pride of Andover Awards this year.
- Andover Santa Cruises: Once again supported the hospice, and Santa himself delighted visitors at our Christmas Craft Market and Silent Santa Grotto.
- Parker Bullen Charity of the Year: This new partnership raised over £4,200 while highlighting the hospice’s work in Andover.
- Angela Silverman raised an incredible £13,255 by taking on a zip wire challenge in Wales for her 80th
- Eloise Hibbard ran the London Marathon and raised £5,000.
- The Bob Tulloch Golf Day, organised by Gid Wells and Niki Powells, raised £12,750, contributing to an astounding £43,298 raised over the years.
- The Graham Family’s Christmas quiz sales in memory of their father has raised to date over £2,500.
- The Queens Head & Chute All Stars Charity Cricket Match raised over £1,600.
- The New Forest Route 66 team raised £1,851 cycling 66 miles around the New Forest.
- Nicky Eaglesham walked a Halloween half marathon in memory of her mum, raising £1,670.
New initiatives in 2024
In May this year we launched, in partnership with Sue Ryder, a new Grief Kind Space for Andover. The group is going very well, with lots of regulars and new visitors each week. We also have a team of eight volunteers who help the group run smoothly.
In October we launched a new Free Wills Scheme in partnership with Parker Bullen. This new scheme encourages local people to make or amend their Will for free. In return, while there is no obligation, we hope that residents will consider leaving us a gift in their Will to help secure the future of hospice care in Andover.
Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, 2025 is set to be a special year as we celebrate our 35th anniversary in September. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:
Gifts in Wills – We’ll be joining with hospices across the UK to promote gifts in wills in February. Look out for a new TC advert created on behalf of all UK hospices.
Exciting Events: Including an Easter Raffle, Open Gardens on the 10 & 11 May, 10@10 on 21 June, and our Christmas Market on 15 November.
The impact of your support
Every penny raised makes a difference. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to:
- Make a significant contribution to the hospice running costs.
- Fund an additional community nurse to provide vital care for patients in their homes.
- Fund our hospice at home and overnight call our services.
- Purchase rise and recliner chairs to enhance patient comfort.
- Acquire syringe drivers to improve patient pain management.
- Fund our Day Centre programme, offering support and respite to patients and their families.
Join Us in 2025
We couldn’t achieve any of this without our incredible supporters. If you’re inspired by the stories above, why not join us in 2025? Whether you’re organising an event, participating in a challenge, or simply making a donation, every contribution helps us continue to support people living with a life limiting illness and their families.
Together, we can make 2025 another year to remember. Thank you for supporting us and making a difference in our community!
