Burgess Hill support group’s ‘Giving Tree’ raises thousands for hospice

Left to right: Geoff Atkins (chair of the support group), Sam Mansell (manager of The Market Place), Wendy Agate (community fund raising volunteer), Jan Archer (main organiser of the rota for the Giving Tree), and Paula Bugin (shop manager of the Burgess Hill branch who coordinated all the cash taken at the tree)

Following a successful fund raising campaign, the St Peter and St James Hospice Burgess Hill Support Group presented a cheque for £10,000 to the hospice team.

Supported by The Market Place, members of the 18 strong hospice support group collected donations at the ‘Giving Tree’ hosted at the shopping centre for three weeks in December.

Volunteers hosted a daily bucket collection, and also offered blank tags so members of the public could leave a message on the tree for a small donation.

People were also invited to sponsor the cost of items that are used daily in at the hospice, and a raffle of a Brighton and Hove Albion Football Trophy was held.

School choirs from Manor Fields School, The Gattons, Birchwood Grove School, and London Meed, along with performers from Sussex Harmonisers, The Craft Singers, The Flutneenies, and Hurstpierpoint Bell Ringers, also offered their time to help create a festive atmosphere at the Giving Tree.

Brighton and Hove Albion legends Guy Butters and Danny Cullip also gave up their time to sign autographs and have their pictures taken for another small donation. See pictures from Guy and Danny’s visit here.

The cheque was presented to the hospice in February, and will go towards its work supporting people in Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Lewes and Uckfield.

Geoff Atkins, chairman of the group, said: “The Burgess Hill Group and all at St Peter and St James Hospice would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the choirs and Danny and Guy for giving up their time to support the group and the hospice with this event, with your help and the most generous help of 110 other volunteers who manned the Giving Tree for over 340 man hours.

“Collectively you helped us raise a magnificent £10,000 – we are all so very grateful, thank you.

“This meant you our most generous supporters paid for Christmas Day and part of Boxing Day to help make a massive difference to the poor unfortunate patients and their families who found themselves in the need of the tender loving care of our doctors and angels they call nurses.

“Once again a massive big thank you to all who helped man this event and a huge heartfelt thanks to you our most generous supporters without whom we would not have the comfort and privilege to call upon such a wonderful organisation in our darkest hour.”

The Burgess Hill Support Group host many fundraising activities like collections and other events such as quiz nights, curry nights, casino nights, and 60s & 70s rock nights. Contact Geoff Atkins on 07969 344136 to find out more.