Over the holiday season, the eastern Hertfordshire community came together in a remarkable display of generosity, raising an impressive £120,000 to support Isabel Hospice’s vital palliative care services.
The Care at Christmas campaign comprised of various festive and seasonal events taking place over the Christmas period, including the return of the environmentally friendly Christmas tree recycling campaign, Christmas at the Manor, Carols in the Chapel, five remarkable Lights of Love remembrance services, and bringing the community together with some festive fun with Christmas Jumper Day!
Katy O’Sullivan, Head of Fundraising at Isabel Hospice said: “We are delighted to have raised such a significant amount and would like to thank the community for coming together as they always do over the festive season.”
The Christmas Tree Recycling campaign, designed to collect real Christmas trees in exchange for a suggested donation, raised almost £30,000.
The tree collection service covered all areas of eastern Hertfordshire and aims to be an effective environmentally friendly way for individuals to recycle their Christmas trees. This service relies upon the amazing and dedicated team of volunteers who helped distribute leaflets as well as tirelessly collect and dispose of over 1500 trees.
Katy added: “Our remarkable volunteers stepped up once again, distributing leaflets to houses and collecting trees in an extraordinary display of community spirit.”
Barbara Doherty and her Special Events Committee held two events, Christmas at the Manor and Carols in the Chapel. Both these events saw over 200 attendees each and showcased the true spirit of the festive season whilst raising much needed funds for Isabel Hospice.
Our annual remembrance services – comprised of five Lights of Love events which were held in Buntingford, Cheshunt, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, and the main service at Mill Green Golf Club in Welwyn Garden City.
With over 900 people coming together to celebrate and remember their loved ones, these heart-warming ceremonies provided readings and a chance to reflect for all who attended. The Lights of Love Book of Dedications received over 900 touching messages in memory of loved ones and was available to view in six Isabel Hospice charity shops.
Christmas Jumper Day brought the community together once more as participants wore their favourite Christmas Jumpers in exchange for a donation.
Claire Melinte, Community Fundraiser at Isabel Hospice said: “Schools, local businesses and clubs really embraced the Christmas spirit and came together in full force to support our Christmas Jumper Day.”
Highlighting the significance of such fundraising activity, Katy said: “Campaigns like Care at Christmas are so important for raising funds to support the vital services that Isabel Hospice provide.”
View photos from Christmas at the Manor here:
Photography by Peter Bussey.
View photos from Lights of Love, Welwyn Garden City here:
Photography by Peter Bussey & Conor Williams.
View photos from Carols in the Chapel here:
Photography by Peter Bussey.
