Fifty employees from Nicholsons were asked to nominate a Charity of the Year and then cast their votes. In a closely contested internal poll St Barnabas Hospice came out top. The charities nominated are often charities that staff, their families or someone they know have been involved with.

Gail Paton, a Director at Nicholsons, says

“We feel it is important for staff to have a say, and by asking for nominations gives everyone the chance to put their favoured charity forward. This year we are looking forward to working in partnership with St Barnabas Hospice and to raise money to help them maintain this vital service across Lincolnshire. I have personally benefitted from the services offered by this charity and fully support our choice this year.”

Corporate Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, Caroline Swindin says

“Fundraising is so rewarding, but it is also lots of fun and great for staff moral and brand awareness. I am really looking forward to seeing the team at Nicholsons’ do various fundraising. They have committed to dress down days, quiz nights and cake baking.

St Barnabas Hospice is a local independent charity that supports more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire affected by life-limiting or terminal conditions.  Not only do they offer high quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients, but support to their families and carers too. Without support from Corporate Sponsors, such as Nicholsons the Hospice simply would not be able to do the work to the standard and capacity they do.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Burke and High Constable Jo Rimmer joined St Barnabas CEO Chris Wheway, dignitaries and special guests to the Forget Me Not installation official launch on Saturday 6^th April at 11am. 1008 iron, handmade Forget Me Not flowers are displayed in the grounds of Lincoln Castle. The appeal has already raised in excess of £50,000 for the Hospice.

Chris Wheway, St Barnabas CEO began his speech;

“I would like to say thank you to Lincoln Castle for donating the space in the grounds for our display. I could not think of a better venue for this appeal and I think you will all agree it looks stunning.

We have been overwhelmed with over 1000 donations for the iron flowers raising £50,000 for the Hospice to date. This is a very special fundraising appeal, as it marks the first of its kind for us here at St Barnabas. The success has surpassed our expectations and we hope it continues to flourish in the next three weeks.”

Local blacksmith Stefanos cut the ribbon with Councillor Burke to mark the display officially open to the public. Stefanos, based in Lincolnshire at The Old Smithy designed and created each flower by hand. Appeal sponsors Tanglewood Care Homes and Waterside Shopping Centre also attended to meet the creatives behind the appeal.

Local poet, John Welsh concluded the launch with a piece of poetry titled ‘Remember Me Always’.

Sam Waterer, Individual Giving Fundraiser and Forget Me Not appeal event lead added;

“We are overwhelmed by the success of the appeal, but we knew the beautiful design and stunning setting would be popular. Remembering a loved one is very personal and the Forget Me Not appeal is a special way to celebrate the life of someone important. We have extended the display for a further week until Sunday 28^th April to give more people an opportunity to see the flowers. Anyone can claim a flower with a donation on the St Barnabas Hospice website, but as they are made by hand the expected delivery date is 6 to 8 weeks.That said, want to say thank you to Stefanos, who has tirelessly created each flower by hand and to Nicky Walker, the landscape gardener who thought up the aerial forget me not installation design.”

St Barnabas Hospice offers free compassionate, palliative end of life care to 10,500 patients and their families each year. The Hospice needs to fundraise £5.5 million annually with appeals, fundraising events, corporate sponsorship, the St Barnabas Lottery, the St Barnabas Hospice shops and legacy donations.

To dedicate your own flower and find out more about St Barnabas Hospice visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk

The Forget Me Not display is open until Sunday 28^th April at Lincoln Castle.

Branston Ltd joins some of the county’s largest organisations including Waterside Shopping Centre, Homelet and Hodgkinson’s Solicitors in the bid to raise funds for Lincolnshire Hospice facility.

Simon Telfer, HR Director at Branston Ltd said:

“We are delighted to be supporting St Barnabas as our Lincoln site’s Charity of the Year for 2019. Not only is it a brilliant cause, it also means that the money that we’re able to raise here in Lincolnshire stays in the county. Staff are already working on ideas for innovative fundraising and volunteering activities. I’m sure it will be an exciting year of events.”

Branston Ltd is one of the country’s largest buyers and packers of potatoes, handling around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes every year. The company was formed, near the village of Branston, back in 1968 by a group of local farmers. Over 50 years on, they’re still growing – not just with fresh potatoes but also a great range of prepared ready to cook veg.

They now employ over 700 people at their Lincoln site and as a business and a team they’re committed to making a positive impact in the local community, which includes fundraising for charities.

Caroline Swindin, Corporate Fundraiser adds;

“We are delighted to welcome Branston Ltd on as a partner. The decision to make St Barnabas Hospice their Charity of the Year enables the Branston Ltd team to take part in fun events and activities that raise money to help support people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, their families and their carers in the local community.

“We will be there every step of the way in supporting them with ideas to fundraise, whilst having a great time. I have a range options to suit all levels of corporate support from quizzes and bake offs.

Last year St Barnabas cared and supported over 10,500 people across the county. To continue to do all this it costs £11.5 million of which the charity must raise over £5.5 million. This is income is raised through Retail and Lottery teams, in addition to Fundraising, Individual Giving and Challenge events.  Further to the Hospice’s events the support of individuals, groups and businesses in Lincolnshire communities is invaluable to the continued, essential work.

To find out more about corporate fundraising and supporting St Barnabas Hospice’s mission visit stbarnabashospice.co.uk/corporate

St Barnabas Hospice will host their popular Moonlight Walk events this June in Lincoln and Stamford to raise money and remember loved ones

Lincoln, 22^nd February 2019 – Now in its twelfth year, the Moonlight Walk is taking place twice in 2019 thanks to the popularity of last year’s Stamford walk that raised £38,000 for the Hospice.

This year, St Barnabas is introducing a brand new Flower Power theme for both walks in Lincoln and Stamford. Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the 10K walks through the Lincolnshire towns dressed in seventies themed clothing and accessories.

Laura Stones, Events Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“We’re very excited about the brand new theme for this year’s Moonlight Walks. We can’t wait to see our supporters dressed up in their flares, floral shirts and disco suits!

“Events like this raise vital funds that allow St Barnabas to continue caring for over 10,500 patients and their families and carers per year. We want to raise as much as possible at our Moonlight Walks to ensure that people in Lincolnshire have access to high quality palliative care.”

The Lincoln Moonlight Walk takes place on June 8^th at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln, LN1 3DY. Tickets are available now and can be bought here: StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/events/moonlight-walk-lincoln-19/

The Stamford Moonlight Walk takes place on June 15^th at Borderville Sports Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford, PE9 1US. Tickets are available now and can be bought here: StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/events/moonlight-walk-stamford-2019/

Tickets are available at an Early Bird price of £15 until April 4^th 2019. After this date, tickets will be available at the Standard Price of £20. St Barnabas is asking participants to raise a minimum of £20 sponsorship.

For further information, please contact the Events Team on 01522 540 300 or email fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

The annual St Barnabas Hospice Wine & Wisdom evening is set to raise more money than ever before.

Now in its 23^rd year, the annual St Barnabas Wine & Wisdom evening started in 1996 by Lincoln widower, John Davey, in memory of his wife, Anne.

In December 1992, Anne was admitted to the Inpatient Unit in Lincoln after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

John said:

“The Hospice was a truly wonderful place and the people there were incredibly kind. They took such good care of Anne but they also looked after the whole family too.”

“I will always remember the night I fell asleep holding Anne’s hand and I awoke to find that a blanket had been placed over me by one of the kind people there. It’s only a small thing but it is something I will never forget and it really meant a lot.”

“On Christmas Eve, carol singers were performing in the Hospice. The sound of the music drifted into Anne’s room and the most remarkable thing happened, Anne sat up in bed for the first time in a long time and she sat and sang every carol. For that short time, I had my Anne back. She was just like her old self.

Anne died at the hospice age 56 on 13^th January 1993, just eight weeks after being diagnosed.

Following her death, John organised two sponsored walks which raised over £8,000 for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice. In 1996, John decided to organise a quiz night which became known as the annual Wine and Wisdom fundraiser.

John said:

“Wine and Wisdom began as a wonderful way to remember my wife of 29-years and also for our family and friends to remember her too. It also gave us an opportunity to raise money to help other families who need the valuable support of the Hospice.

“I am truly humbled by the amount of money the quiz has raised and it far exceeds any expectations I had. I never expected the quiz to become so popular and I wouldn’t have dared to dream that it would still be going now.

“It’s a lovely lasting tribute to my dearest Anne.”

In 2017, John received an award from St Barnabas for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising.’

Adrian Oke, Fundraising Development Manager for St Barnabas, said:

“Wine and Wisdom is such a historic and staple event in the St Barnabas Hospice fundraising calendar. Teams across the Trust look forward to it every year, including the fundraising team who feel privileged to be a part of the Wine and Wisdom legacy.”

This year’s Wine and Wisdom event will take place on Friday 1^st March from 7pm, at Waddington Village Hall on Mere Road in Lincoln. Teams of 5-8 people can register, and entry costs £6 per person. There are eight rounds, and some great prizes up for grabs.

Click here to register for the event, or for more information, contact Adrian Oke on 01522 540 300 or adrian.oke@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

St Barnabas Hospice launches the 2019 Inflatable Colour Dash with exciting new inflatables to make the Colour Dash’s fifth consecutive year the biggest, brightest and best yet.

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice have announced that their popular Inflatable Colour Dash will be returning to the Lincolnshire Showground on Saturday 11^th May 2019.

Last year thousands of people were showered in colourful powder paint and together raised more than £130,000 for local hospice care.

For 2019, alongside the ‘dash’ itself is the Colour Village: an area with live DJs, exciting activities and street food and drink for the whole family. Spectators of the Inflatable Colour Dash do not have to pay to gain access to the Colour Village to enjoy watching their friends and family.

The Inflatable Colour Dash is the perfect opportunity to come together and show your support for St Barnabas. This bright and vibrant 5k fun run will see you splattered from head to toe in powder paint at each kilometre and inflatable obstacles along the way. To take part, participants must be aged five years old and over, and anyone aged under sixteen must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Amelia Mochan, Events Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“The Inflatable Colour Dash is back – bigger, louder and more colourful than ever before! Lincolnshire’s first and best Colour Dash has just got better. Colour Dash is all about wearing your biggest smile, raising money and having fun with your friends and family. By the time you cross the finish line you will be showered in all the colours of the rainbow!

“The Inflatable Colour Dash is for all ages, fitness levels and abilities – you don’t have to be a runner to take part! Whether you run, walk or dance your way around, you should feel proud that you are doing it for such a good cause.”

Events like this are crucial in helping raise the funds needed to continue caring for and supporting over 10,500 people across Lincolnshire who are living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.

Amelia said:

“St Barnabas works tirelessly to ensure patients and their families make the most of every single second they share, regardless of how much time remains. The money raised from events such as the Inflatable Colour Dash enables this work to continue.”

Registration is now open where adults can take advantage of the early bird price of just £15 and £10 for children. Participants can also buy an early bird family ticket (two adults and two children) for just £40. The early bird prices are available until 8^th February 2019.

The registration fee includes a bag of powder paint, neon sunglasses, a bottle of water, a polythene poncho (to keep cars clean on the ride home) and a commemorative medal.

Click here to register online. For the answers to the most frequently asked questions, please click here.

For more information, or if you’re interested in holding a Street Food Stall at Colour Village, contact the St Barnabas Events Team on 01522 540 300 or fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.

THOR’S Tipi Bar in Lincoln City Centre, will be supporting St Barnabas Hospice on 21^st November, by donating all proceeds of Mulled Wine and Beer sales from 5pm until 10pm.

Caroline Swindin, Corporate Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice said:

“What a privilege it is to be supported by THOR’S Tipi Bar. A staple in Lincoln’s calendar, supporting the Hospice is sure to create a furore that will leave a big impact. We can’t wait to join them for this wonderful evening and raise much needed funds in the process.”

Thor’s Tipi Bar brings an original Viking inspired Christmas experience to the Cornhill area of Lincoln and has proven to be a very popular winter attraction in the city. As well as Mulled Wine and Beer, the bar inside offers indulgent Hot Chocolate, Prosecco and more.

This year they are also collaborating with the ‘Cheese Cave’, who provides a plethora of grilled cheese street foods designed to go perfectly with the winter drinks.

Maria Farrugia, Co-Founder of THOR’S Tipi Bar said:

“We always try to support a local charity with all of our events and when St Barnabas approached us, we were delighted to help. We hope as many people as possible come join in with the celebrations to help raise as much money as we can.”

For further information please contact Caroline Swindin on 01522 540 300 or email caroline.swindin@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.

A local hospice is welcoming the Christmas festivities with a craft and gift fair in Louth.

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice will host its Christmas Craft and Gift Fair at Louth Hospice on Grimsby Road in Louth on Saturday 24^th November 2018, from 11.30am until 2pm.

 Amy Bailey, Community Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“We welcome shoppers into Louth Hospice to browse unique Christmas gifts from across the county. The beautiful St Barnabas Charity Christmas cards will also be available to buy on the day.

“If you’re not yet in the Christmas spirit, this is the perfect remedy. The opportunity to indulge in some delicious coffee and cakes whilst you wander around to the sound of Christmas music is enough to warm the heart of the more stubborn of humbugs!”

Guests will also be invited to have a go on the raffle and tombola whilst they enjoy Christmas music, cakes and coffee. This craft and gift fair will offer the perfect chance to find those special gifts this Christmas to start off your festivities.

For more information about the Christmas Craft and Gift Fair please get in touch with Amy Bailey on amy.bailey@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.