Family’s fundraising efforts grow to more than £8,500

Fundraising has become a family affair as loved ones continue to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.

Denise, Todd, Alex and Bethany Unsworth’s charitable efforts in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care have seen £2,146.23 handed over to the hospice which cares for people across West Suffolk and Thetford in the final chapters of their lives.

The family, who are spurred on to fundraise in memory of Denise’s mother Mary Vogeler, decided to raise the funds by organising a black tie ball, which took place at Lynford Hall, Norfolk, in May.

The occasion was the second time the family have come together to raise funds with a charity ball in Mary’s memory.

Denise said: “As a family we have been raising money since my mum’s death in 2015. For us it is our way of giving something back and repaying all of the care and support, not just that my mum received, but that we received as a family.

“The hospice’s help meant that we could continue to be a family during the time mum was ill, I am a nurse, but the support we received meant I could be a daughter. The staff were brilliant, they really could not do enough for you.

“This year’s ball was a great occasion, the dance floor was packed and the atmosphere was buzzing. We are so grateful to those who have supported us. When we asked for raffle prizes local businesses were so generous, some of them we had asked for help last year and we were so pleased when they supported us again. We can’t thank everyone enough for the support.”

The Unsworth family, who live in Croxton, were also aided in their efforts by family friend Michelle Banks, who wanted to become more involved with the family’s fundraising efforts following the death of a close friend who also received the charity’s care.

Michelle said: “The atmosphere on the night was amazing, as was the support we had. It was buzzing. Working for L Fulcher Funeral Directors I was used to coming into the hospice, but when my friend became ill everything changed.

“I saw the hospice from a different perspective, and having been friends with Denise I had heard from her about the brilliant care her mum received but I got to see it first-hand. Nothing was ever too much trouble.”

Having also undertaken their own fundraising challenges this latest cheque takes the total the family have raised for the charity to £8, 762.30.

 Denise and Bethany have completed the hospice’s Girls Night Out moonlight walk, while Todd has proved he has a head for heights by completing a sky dive and Alex, alongside friend Jess Day, pulled on his walking shoes to conquer the Great Wall of China as well as taking part in the hospice’s obstacle challenge event Battle of the Knights.

Denise said: “After my mum died it was important to all of us that other families were given the chance to have the same experiences as we did, which is why we have been fundraising ever since.”