Covid-19 has led to huge losses in revenue for hospices who’ve had to cancel fundraising events, however they’ve been adapting to the crisis in increasingly creative ways. We round-up some of the most innovative fundraisers of the last few weeks.
#HavensFantastic5
Two staff members from Havens Hospices in Essex have set up a campaign encouraging people to decorate spaces within their homes during the lockdown. Dubbed ‘#HavensFantastic5’ as people are encouraged to nominate five people to do the same, the campaign asks people to decorate either a front door, window, garden, tree, or balcony - anything that can be seen from the front of your property - display a sign with #HavensFantastic5 on it, and share a photo on social media.
Claire Foire, Havens Hospices’ Assistant Shop Manager, first sparked the idea to her colleague Eany Callahan. They hope to not only raise vital funds for the charity but also bring the local community together, spreading some joy and appreciation to those working on the frontline.
Claire says: “The idea behind the campaign was to try and create a sort of ‘virtual street party’, to highlight great British spirit and bring communities together during these tough times whilst also raising money for a great cause which is close to our hearts. Not only do we work for the charity but we both have had family members cared for at the hospice and we have seen first-hand the amazing care they provide and how important it is to so many families.”
Meanwhile Havens’ ongoing ‘Bare your roots’ campaign - encouraging people to embrace their natural hair colour or dare to do a DIY cut whilst the hairdressers are closed – has reached £7,000. Additionally, medical director Dr Grahame Tosh has promised to dye his hair in all the colours of the rainbow if he meets his fundraising target of £750.
Come dine with the Robertsons
The Robertsons family have created their own version of the popular TV show ‘Come Dine With Me’, to raise cash for Treetops Hospice. Inspired by The Real Housewives of Cheshire’s Dawn Ward, who shared her cooking skills with her 453k Instagram followers, each family member cooked a three course meal, recorded their hilarious antics, and shared the videos on social media, while asking friends and family to bet on who they think will be crowned top chef.
Twenty-two-year-old Joe, a successful make-up artist who, according to dad Liam ‘can’t even boil water’ kicked the series off by serving up a mezze board followed by Pollo Pesto Pasta and a Lemon Posset with Shortbread for dessert, and received a lukewarm response from the rest of the family. “Joe never cooks, can’t cook, won’t cook and so the cooking element wasn’t great,” said mum Annie, who is favourite to win, “but he did make a great dessert which we all enjoyed.”
The family are fundraising in memory of Annie’s mother Josie, who was cared for by the hospice before her death in October 2018. They’ve so far raised £600 of their £650 goal.
The Pets Factor
Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes is inviting all pet owners and families with young children to take part in their new virtual contest: The Pets Factor.
The charity is giving proud pet owners the chance to show off their furry friends while supporting the hospice. They can choose from five categories: Cutest Pet, Laziest Pet, Silliest Pet, Pet with the Best Smile, and Best Imaginary Pet, to be drawn by children under 14. It’s £5 to enter per category; the winner of each category will receive a virtual rosette on their photo entry, and the overall winner will be awarded the chance to have a portrait painted of their pet.
Gaming for good
Phyllis Tuckwell in Guildford have launched a fundraiser aimed at people who love gaming. Gaming for Good is asking computer game enthusiasts to get sponsored to take on a challenge, from attempting to complete a whole game in one sitting, to taking on a speed gaming challenge or even forming a team with friends and streaming a gaming marathon. Participants can choose their challenge and pick when to complete it.
Posties in fancy dress
A team of 30 post men and women in Horsham, West Sussex, donned fancy dress to deliver the local community’s post in memory of their beloved colleague John Brooksbank, while raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice.
Costumes included Iron Man through to a giant whoopee cushion, and the posties received rounds of applause and smiles as they delivered people’s mail. Although they had an initial target of £250, they eventually raised over £3,000, with donations continuing to pour in after their fancy dress day, along with many messages giving thanks for brightening up people’s day and for the work they’re doing on the frontline.
The 24-hour Springsteen-athon
Hungry Heart, a Bruce Springsteen-themed club night hosted a 24-hour livestream on May 2, raising a tremendous £32,000 for the Trussell Trust, Age UK, Childline, Barts Charity and Hospice UK. They’re back this weekend (Saturday 23rd) to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
