Thanks to initiatives such as The Warehouse Lock-In event, the Light Up A Life appeal, the Torchlight Procession, Rudy’s Run, and recent Tree-Cycle collections, supporters have helped raise £150,509 for St Barnabas.
As financial pressures continue to grow for the hospice, this generosity helps meet the urgent needs across Lincolnshire and protects St Barnabas’ future.
A record-breaking night at The Warehouse’s fourth Lock-In event saw over £15,000 of income generated on Thursday 6th November, with more than 2,000 items sold and saved from landfill.
The sold-out event saw over 250 sustainable shoppers start their Christmas shopping, enjoying a complimentary cocktail with St Barnabas gin or rum, and loaded brownie from local dessert specialists, Sinple Treats.
Caroline Peach, Head of Retail at St Barnabas, says: “It was such a wonderful event! Over the weekend, figures skyrocketed up to £30,000 of income generated, with an additional 3,000 items sold. These vital funds will support St Barnabas in providing compassionate, high-quality care to people across Lincolnshire.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came along. Through shopping in our charity shops, you can save money, prevent landfill waste, and support local hospice care all at once. We have 23 county-wide charity shops, and you can find your local St Barnabas shop on the website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop/”
Each Christmas, as part of St Barnabas’ Light Up A Life appeal, supporters are invited to dedicate lights on the Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral in memory of loved ones.
The Tree of Life is illuminated during the annual Torchlight Procession, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. This poignant event has grown from 100 people and a lone piper, to over 1,000 led by the RAF Waddington Pipe Band.
On Tuesday 18th November, over 1,000 people walked the procession in memory of loved ones. Thanks to ticket sales, donations on the night, online dedications and sponsorship, the Torchlight Procession and Light Up A Life appeal collectively raised £87,244.
Amelia Chambers, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at St Barnabas, says: “It was an incredibly moving evening, made even more special by marking 25 years of this poignant event. At a time when we’re facing financial challenges, it means so much to have had so many join us in remembrance and make a dedication.”
At the start of January, teams of corporate volunteers were travelling across the county, collecting pre-booked Christmas trees as part of the Hospice’s Tree-Cycle fundraising campaign.
Trees have been recycled using local wood chipping companies, with chippings used for biomass boilers, bedding for farmyard animals, for use in agricultural fertilisers, or they can be turned into mulch for gardens.
For a suggested donation of £22 for each tree, St Barnabas collected and recycled 1,225 trees, raising £32,621 for the Hospice.
Eleanor Fellows, Fundraising Officer at St Barnabas, says: “We wouldn’t be able to run this fundraising initiative without the vital support from local businesses, groups, and individuals who provide us with their services.
“Thank you to everyone who recycled their Christmas tree with us or volunteered their time in support of this campaign.”
Community fundraisers were also delighted to see 6 schools and 1 nursery take part in Rudy’s Run, despite the fundraising appeal on hold last year to revisit resources and branding.
This fun, festive fundraiser encourages children of primary school age to run, walk, dance or prance to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice.
Over 900 children took part and over £3,644 was raised for St Barnabas, thanks to the fundraising efforts of these young supporters, encouraging adults and fantastic teachers.
Deborah Yarwood, Community Fundraiser at St Barnabas, says: “It means a lot that these schools continued to take part in Rudy’s Run and raise money for St Barnabas. We’re looking forward to launching a new look for Rudy’s Run this year and getting lots more places on board!”
The money raised through these initiatives helps the Hospice provide free, dignified palliative and end-of-life care to over 12,000 adults each year, as well as wellbeing services such as bereavement support, counselling, and welfare and benefits advice.
Fundraising is a powerful tool to support St Barnabas and helps the hospice provide compassionate care for local people and their families. Whether you’re an individual, a group of friends, a school or a workplace, every pound raised makes a lasting difference.
To find out more about upcoming campaigns and ways to get involved, visit the St Barnabas Hospice website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/