Three decades of fundraising celebrated

A special celebration marked three decades of dedicated fundraising as a group of the Hospice’s stalwart supporters gathered to celebrate their 30th birthday.

On Friday, 29 September members of the Rickinghall Area Hospice Fundraisers (RAHOF) visited the Hospice’s Hardwick Lane site for a tea party in their honour.

Over the years the determined group, which was founded in 1987 by June Shepherd, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity, the group’s teamwork seeing at least six events a year held in aid of the Hospice.

With a cake baked specially for the occasion, the event was a chance for the Hospice to say thank you to RAHOF for their ongoing commitment by making sure their milestone birthday was enjoyed by all.

The Hospice’s life-time president Canon Richard Norburn and his wife Joyce were also in attendance.

Canon Norburn said: “Happy birthday RAHOF. You have done a marvellous job, and you have also been a marvellous model for people wanting to support the Hospice.

“You have all been absolutely exceptional in what you have done and it has always been a joy for myself and Joyce to attend your events.”

The Hospice’s Chief Executive Barbara Gale was also there to share in the group’s achievements, she said: “First of all I have to say thank you to RAHOF for everything they do for us. We really wouldn’t be here without groups like yourselves supporting us.

“We could not do what we do without your support; you’re such a crucial part of what we do.”

A former Hospice Trustee, June is currently fulfilling her second stint as the group’s chairman and alongside her eight-strong committee, she said: “We do what we do with a very glad heart and we would like to say thank you to Richard for his vision for the Hospice and to both Richard and Joyce for their support over the years.

“I would also like to say thank you to Barbara because I know what a huge amount of work she has done not only for this Hospice, but for the hospice movement, as well as the fundraising department for their support.

“It really is a joy to do what we do.”