A south London hospice, that went on a fundraising mission to raise £500,000 in just 36 hours, has beaten its target.
St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham took on the mammoth challenge to continue supporting people amid soaring costs – and they raised a total of £585,287.
On smashing their target, a spokesperson from the hospice said: “We did so well.
“It’s been incredible to see how the community came out for us. Fundraising is a massive part of how we keep going.”
The hospice is currently responding to an increase in demand for its services, which comes at a time when income has fallen due to the cost of living crisis.
To support the fundraising drive, the hospice launched a moving new film which illustrates their work and features the stories of patients and staff, from the in-patient unit to bereavement.
Jez Robinson’s sister, Charlotte Smith, was supported by the hospice. She died the day after her 37th birthday in 2017.
“I’m always so grateful for the support they gave Charlotte,” he said.
“Everyone was so kind, so understanding and I think those days after Charlotte passed we just got great comfort from being here [at St Christopher’s].
“It felt like a place where Charlotte was happy.”
Every donation made during the 36-hour fundraising campaign will be doubled by match funders, giving supporters a greater opportunity to make an impact on those people they support and their families and loved ones.
The fundraising campaign is named What Matters Most – a reference to a question St Christopher’s staff strive to ask each other their patients, carers, loved ones and supporters: ‘what matters most to you?’
Jez Robinson says in the film: “In my head, I had what I thought a hospice was, and I guess I was pretty scared because I knew Charlotte wasn’t well and I was kind of still hoping she was going to get better.”
He adds: “What Matters Most to me, ultimately, is to continue fulfilling what my sister wanted me to do. She told me to keep raising awareness and funds for St Christopher’s, and what matters most to me is that I can continue doing that, in any way that I can. So please join me in supporting St Christopher’s while they fight rising costs.”
Philippa Kelham, Director of Campaigns at St Christopher’s, said: “Our services are more in demand than ever before and we desperately need support from our community to continue our valuable work.”
The 36-hour fundraising drive is over, but they are still accepting donations.
Click here to donate.