Dorothy House launch new Always Here Appeal

DOROTHY House needs you!  They are asking all their supporters to sign up as ‘Champions’ in a 36-hour fundraising sprint to help secure a total of £500k so that they can provide more much-needed palliative and end of life care in our community. 

The charity says, “Our Always Here Appeal takes place in November and we will, for the first time, be using the online crowdfunding platform, Charity Extra, to deliver our most ambitious fundraiser ever,” says the charity based in Winsley. “We are calling on as many people as possible to get involved and help us reach our fundraising goal.  

“Thanks to a generous group of donors, we have secured pledges that will mean all donations made to our appeal during a 36-hour period in November will be doubled. This is an incredible opportunity, which will help us raise the vital funds we need to sustain our compassionate, dedicated care for patients facing the end of their life.   

“Our team of ‘Champions’ will be the most important part of the puzzle, but individually, their role is so simple. As a Champion you will reach out to friends, family and contacts during the main appeal fundraising sprint in November, asking if they will make a donation. Every donation made will support the Champion’s efforts to help ensure Dorothy House can continue to care for the rising number of local patients and patients who need us. 

“Dorothy House needs as many Champions as possible to help spread our message far and wide during the appeal’s fundraising sprint. The hospice will supply everything you will need, including suggested wording and films showing the meaningful impact of our care. It really is so straight- forward: If you have a phone or email address and are willing to send out a message to lots of people you know, then you are a perfect Champion. 

“The funds our Champions raise will help ensure no one in our community faces death alone. Research shows that by 2025 over 5,200 people each year across BaNES, parts of Wiltshire and Somerset will need palliative and end of life care – a striking increase on current levels. To respond to this growing need, Dorothy House’s ambition is significantly to expand and enhance our services over the next 3 years. Our projections show that we will need to raise an additional £2 million, on top of our general fundraising, to achieve this. The Always Here Appeal aims to raise £500k of this funding shortfall.” 

Don Kennedy, head of fundraising engagement said, “It is vital that we act now and invest in the future of hospice care if we are to meet the growing need for our services. This new fundraising idea is both simple and accessible so we hope as many people will join in as possible. You don’t have to leave your house, or even directly donate to make a huge difference. It’s about spreading the word!”

To become a Champion, you can do so by completing a simple online form: www.charityextra.com/alwayshere/signup or by calling the Fundraising Team on 01225 721480.