Tag: fundraise

Charities receive £330,000 in memory of loved ones

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Thousands of donations have been made to local and national charities thanks to the generosity of those who have recently lost a loved one.

A total of 7,455 donations were made in 2019 via a free online memorial feature offered by Southern Co-op, the regional, independent co-operative.

The donations total more than £330,000 – an average of more than £44 per donation.

In 2019, 7,455 donations were made totalling £330,824. This is an increase from 2018 when 6,145 donations were made totalling £266,104 – an average of £43 per donation.

Steve Pearce, Chief Operating Officer for funeralcare at Southern Co-op, said: “The charities people chose to donate to can be a reflection of something their loved one held dear to them or a charity that supported them at a time of need.

“We know that people donated to 351 different charities last year but what we can’t quantify is how many people that went on to help. The donations would have made a difference to thousands of people’s lives and this is incredibly special.”

The online memorial feature also allows friends and family to set up a personal tribute page to light virtual candles, share memories, stories, photos and videos of loved ones.

The top five charities which had the most donations received between £14,000 and £25,000 each.

These included two regional charities Phyllis Tuckwell, which cares for terminally ill people and their families throughout West Surrey and part of North East Hampshire, and Rowans Hospice, which offers specialist palliative care to those with life-limiting illnesses in South East Hampshire.

For more information about online tributes, visit www.funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations.

Fundraising quiz in Arreton

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A fundraising quiz is fast becoming a regular date on the calendar as organisers raise money for local families.

Quizzers on the Isle of Wight are being invited to the latest quiz on Monday 4 November at The Dairyman’s Daughter, in Arreton.

The charity pub quiz is in aid of The Wight Brainy Bunch and is being held by The Co-operative Funeralcare in Ryde which is part of Southern Co-op – the independent, regional co-operative.

The Wight Brainy Bunch is a local brain tumour charity which runs a monthly support group, provides financial assistance to families struggling with added expenses, and supports much needed research via The Brain Tumour Charity.

Sam Walker, Funeral Co-ordinator at the branch, said: “Our quizzes are more than just a fundraiser. They are social events and a good excuse to get together with friends for an evening.”

The quiz starts at 7:30pm and costs £2 per person with up to six people per team.

To find out more or book your place, contact The Co-operative Funeralcare in Ryde via 01983 615746 or by emailing rydefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

The Wight Brainy Bunch is being supported as part of Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’. This initiative tackles four key social themes – promoting greener, healthier, safer, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Click here find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference.

All Wight on the night in Ryde

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Glamourous ball goers flocked to Wootton Bridge last weekend [7 September] to the second annual charity ball organised by co-operative colleagues in Ryde.

The black tie event raised £500 for The Wight Brainy Bunch and was organised by The Co-operative Funeralcare in St John’s Road.

Located in a designated Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, guests were treated to an indulgent three-course meal featuring some of the very best of Island produce.

Guests also got bidding on a selection of special items including an afternoon tea at Yelfs Hotel, some specialised Isle of Wight glass Christmas bubbles and a night in a beautiful cabin in Newchurch.

Lesley Borton, Funeral Co-ordinator at the branch which is part of Southern Co-op – the independent, regional co-operative, said: “There was a lot of good natured bidding. The raffle went well and included a very large basket hamper.

“This was our second year of holding the event but there was still just as much work that went into organising it so we are really glad it was another success.

“The food was delicious. In fact, we have already booked in a date for our third event at the Lakeside Hotel on 27 June. This time it will be slightly less formal but just as much fun!”

Just under 40 people attended the event in Wootton Bridge at the four star hotel including representatives from the charity – The Wight Brainy Bunch.

Kathryn Grimes founded the charity with her husband who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015.

Kathryn said: “We are still a relatively new and small charity and usually rely on arranging our own events to raise funds, so to have such wonderful support from Ryde Co-op Funeralcare this year is incredible.”

According to the charity, there are over 102,000 people living with a brain tumour in the UK, with more children and adults under the age of 40 dying of brain tumours than from any other form of cancer.

Being part of Southern Co-op, The Co-operative Funeralcare in Ryde supports charities like The Wight Brainy Bunch through its community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’.

This initiative addresses four key social themes – promoting greener, healthier, safer and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

To reserve your place for next year’s event, contact the funeral home on 01983 615746 or via email at rydefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

Charity quiz returns to help tackle poverty

Posted on by ashleymarsh

After raising nearly £1,000 for charity in 2018, a quiz is returning to Bognor Regis to continue to tackle the town’s poverty.

Being organised by The Co-operative Funeralcare branches in Rose Green, Bognor Regis and Felpham, colleagues are holding the quiz to raise money for The Bognor Regis Lions Club – Wenceslas Appeal.

The appeal is aimed at helping people get out of fuel poverty during the winter.

Lindsey Booker, Funeral Co-ordinator, said: “The night is more than just a few answers on a blank sheet of paper. It includes a fish and chips supper as well as the chance to win some amazing prizes in a raffle.

“Last year’s was so much fun. We couldn’t have hoped for better. We raised so much essential funding for the appeal and the feedback we had was really positive.

“It is such an incredibly important issue that we want to help to fight. Being able to turn your heating on when you get cold should not be a luxury.”

The funeral homes are part of the regional, independent co-operative – Southern Co-op which encourages its colleagues to hold fundraisers, make donations and volunteer as part of its community engagement programme.

Earlier this year, the local funeralcare colleagues teamed together to wash cars for The Bognor Regis Lions Club – Wenceslas Appeal and raised £178 in total.

The charity quiz and supper is being held on Saturday 12 October at 7pm in the Rowland Rank Centre, at 205 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 3QG.

Tickets are £10 per person including food with four to six people per team. Individuals are welcome.

Places can be booked at any of the three Southern Co-op funeral branches in Rose Green, Bognor Regis and Felpham. Click here to find your nearest branch details.

Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

To find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/.

Mary Poppins returns for charity special

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Poppins, puddings and prosecco are all being offered at a special charity afternoon tea in Godshill.

The Mary Poppins themed afternoon tea on Saturday 26 January will be practically perfect in every way as colleagues at Southern Co-op’s funeral home in Ryde raise money for the Phoenix Project.

For just £14.95 per person, Mary Poppins’ guests will be treated to a full stand of cakes, sandwiches and scones plus extra treats on the top layer with unlimited tea or coffee.

In the last 12 months, Funeral Co-ordinators Sam Walker and Lesley Borton have raised more than £4,600 for the Phoenix Project – a specialist day service for adults with learning disabilities based in Haylands.

The Phoenix Project is the funeral home’s chosen charity as part of Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’. This initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

Sam, from the Co-operative Funeralcare in Ryde, said: “Mary Poppins holds a special place in our memories so we jumped at the chance to have it as a theme for afternoon tea.

“We have been so grateful for the support we have had from our local community over the past 12 months. Being able to raise near to £5,000 is absolutely incredible.

“This will be our last fundraiser for the Phoenix Project as the 12 month charity partnership comes to an end but it won’t be the end of our events. We have had people already asking when the next charity quiz will be and plans are already underway for our second charity ball. We can’t wait!”

The themed afternoon tea is being held from 2pm to 4pm at the Woods Restaurant in Godshill.

To find out more or book your place, contact Southern Co-op’s Ryde Funeralcare via 01983 615746 or rydefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

To find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference, click here.

Charity starts in Ryde this Christmas

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Following the success of a charity quiz night in October, a date has been set for a repeat performance but with a Christmas twist.

Southern Co-op’s funeral home in Ryde is planning a Christmas Charity Quiz Night on Monday 10th December.

It is hoped that the special night will help to raised money for the Phoenix Project – a specialist day service for adults with learning disabilities based in Haylands.

The Phoenix Project is the funeral home’s chosen cause as part of Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’. This initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

Sam Walker, Southern Co-op’s Funeral Co-ordinator at the Ryde funeral home, said: “The last charity quiz went down a storm. We are overwhelmed by the support we have been getting from the local community. We raised £160 for the project which is incredible.”

The charity quiz is being held at The Dairyman’s Daughter, Arreton Barns Craft Village, Newport, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £2 per person with up to six people per team.

To find out more or book your place, contact Southern Co-op’s Ryde Funeralcare via 01983 615746 or rydefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

To find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference, click here.

Walk against dementia

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A memory walk is being held along Portsmouth seafront to pay tribute to a colleague who lost his wife to Alzheimers.

Being organised by Southern Co-op’s funeral homes in Waterlooville and the surrounding area, the seven mile memory walk will be a relaxed stroll on Friday 26 October.

Colleagues taking part in the walk will be raising money for Alzheimer’s Society after Funeral Assistant Rob Morey, based at Southern Co-op’s Leigh Park funeral home, lost his wife Gina in February.

Ali Davison, Funeral Co-ordinator at Southern Co-op’s Waterlooville Funeralcare, said: “This is the first time we have organised a walk like this and the main reason was because we wanted to do something positive to show our support to Rob and his family.

“We also wanted to show our respect to all of the families we look after that have been affected by the illness.

“It won’t be a strenuous walk – we will start at the Clarence Pier and the aim is to walk to Eastney and back. There may also be a short stop if we are too worn out!”

People do not need to be an experienced trekker and can walk as far as they want.

The walk follows a route which is completely flat. Dogs, children, friends and family are all welcome.

The route is well-lit but walkers may want to bring a torch and are advised to dress appropriately.

Walkers will be meeting at Clarence Pier at 6pm, with the view of heading off at 6.15pm.

Find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference.

Rally proves a success despite bad weather

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More than £3,500 was raised by a Shaftesbury’s Funeral Co-ordinator and her partner through their annual Vintage Vehicle Rally & Family Fun Day.

Cars line up at the Vintage Vehicle Rally & Family Fun Day

Held in the grounds of The Udder Farm Shop on 28 July, the event was held in aid of the Salisbury Hospice charity and Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal Campaign.

Organisers Tony Fowler and Suzanne Smith – who works at Southern Co-op’s Shaftesbury Funeral home – have run the rally now for eight years in memory of Suzanne’s Dad Barry Smith.

Visitors were treated to the sights and smells of vintage and modern tractors as well as a road run, stationary engines and a range of classic and vintage cars and bikes.

There were also stalls, live music, fairground rides, face painting, a bouncy castle, tastings, a raffle and a barbecue.

Vintage tractors at the Vintage Vehicle Rally & Family Fun Day

Suzanne said: “The day itself started out brilliantly and we had a huge amount of visitors and the biggest ever turn out of exhibits and stall holders.

“Sadly we had to close the show for the safety of the public due to bad weather so to have raised so much for the charities in such a short amount of time was brilliant as they are such special causes to us.

“We have a strong group of friends that have always been available to help out and we can’t thank them enough. But as the show has grown over the past eight years, this year we were in need of extra help so we owe a huge thanks to staff from Southern Co-op who also all came along to help with car parking, marshalling, and donation collecting as well as anything else that needed doing on the day.”

To find out more about Southern Co-op’s Funeralcare in Shaftesbury and its commitment to the local community, visit www.funeralcare.co.uk.