From Christmas dips to Santa dashes: How Suffolk came together for hospice appeal
Local businesses and community members have helped raise over £158,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice through various festive fundraisers, including the Christmas Day Dip, Santa Dash and Christmas Jumper Day.
Why it matters: The record-breaking amount will help provide free care services to more than 1,300 people living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses across the region.
The big picture: The 2024 Be a Star appeal has edged past last year's total of £157,000, with donations still coming in. The campaign's Matched Giving Week alone raised over £46,662 thanks to support from local businesses between 2 and 8 December.
Behind the scenes: Lisa Parrish, Director of Care at St Elizabeth Hospice, said the festive period was "particularly busy" for the hospice:
- The Ipswich Inpatient Unit supported over 15 patients between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day
- Community teams continued working across the region, helping families create "precious memories"
What they're saying: "Thank you so much to everybody who supported our Be a Star over Christmas. You really are all superstars, and your generosity has made such a difference to the hospice and to all the patients under our care," said Pauline Donkin, Head of Fundraising at St Elizabeth Hospice.
The bottom line: The successful campaign demonstrates how community-driven fundraising events can make a significant impact on local healthcare services, with every penny raised supporting vital hospice care across the region.
Independent local journalism is expensive to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners.
Below the line