Press Releases
St Christopher’s Hospice and Harris HospisCare open joint shop in Bromley
On Thursday 1 November, at 10am, St Christopher’s Hospice and Harris HospisCare opened their first joint charity shop. The Mayor and Mayoress of Bromley attended the event to cut the ribbon and declare the shop officially open to the eager crowd. Once inside, shoppers were treated to hot drinks and Danish pastries.
Over 250 shoppers visited the shop during the day to browse through the selection of clothes, books, Christmas and electrical goods. The hospices are calling on all local people to support the new shop by donating their good quality unwanted items and to offer their services as volunteers to help in the shop, which is located at 80 High Street, in the pedestrian precinct.
Business Development Manager, Ashley Henson said: “We are delighted to have had more than a 250 people walk into the shop to see what we have to offer, as well as visits from our ever faithful supporters, and we are nothing but thankful and overwhelmed with the success. We hope they continue to support us to help raise the much needed funds to continue the vital work of the hospices.”
These two hospices provide end of life care across the whole of the borough of Bromley and beyond, reaching 300 Bromley patients on any one day. Their care focuses on the physical and emotional wellbeing of the patient and those close to them. This shop will generate vital funds needed to provide this very special care.
For more details, please contact Ashley Henson on 01689 825755 or email a.henson@harrishospiscare.org.uk
Harris HospisCare Big Dance Carnival
On Sunday 22 July Harris HospisCare attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest Zumba dance class, as part of the Big Dance Carnival at Crystal Palace Park. The event was set in the iconic Concert Bowl area of the park. Sadly the record of 3,105 was not broken but a fabulous time was had by all.
The Big Dance Carnival was organised in association with Mytime Active and the Penge Air Cadets provided help to set up and run the event. The day began with a Samba parade through the park followed by many dance demonstrations including Primetime Line dancing, Bollywood, Capoeria (dance/martial art) and Flamenco. The finale was the Zumba world record attempt and a performance by MALOKA.
Fundraising Manager, Christine Davies said: “We are disappointed not to have broken the record but we had an absolute ball trying! It was great to see whole families joining in with the dancing and of course we raised vital funds for the hospice. We rely on events like this so that we can continue caring for dying patients across Bromley.”
A video wall has been created by WinkBall with short interviews with the people taking part in the day, this can be found online at www.winkball.com* and search for Big Dance.
For more details, please contact Christine Davies on 01689 825755 or email fundraising@harrishospiscare.org.uk
Thank you to the following for helping us to make the event happen
- Verena Trend and Kiaran Hall of Mytime Active
- Harris HospisCare volunteers
- Warrant Officer Pink and the Penge Air Cadets
- Charles Collett, the Stage Manager
- Peter Perke, the Master of Ceremonies
- Amy Manning of The Bickley Deli – Twitter @Thebickleydeli
- Alcina Williams of Bibby’s Bakery – www.bibbysbakery.co.uk
- Tracey McLaren of Mahjestic Fruit Fusion
- St John Ambulance
- Steve Davies of Subfrantic – www.subfrantic.com
- Nicky and team of Vespasian Security – www.vespasiansecurity.co.uk
- Hugh O’Neill of Recognition Express – www.re-bromleyanddartford.co.uk
- Ian James of Rotary Club of Chislehurst
- Simon Moore of Apps IT Recruitment – www.appsit.com
- Lisa Jessop of Cockett Marine Oil – www.cockettgroup.com
- WinkBall
- Maria Ramil of Maria Ramil Photography – www.mariaramil.com
- David Candeland of Bromley Council Licensing Team
- Toby Smith of Bromley Council Parks and Open Spaces
- The rangers of Crystal Palace Park
-
Zumba instructors
- Angelina Ray of Mytime Active
- Awa Ginet-Jones of Mytime Active
- Kelly Seppings of Mytime Active
- Sarah Walker-Hebborn of Mytime Active
- Cat Lockton of Mytime Active
- Rachel Knight of Mytime Active
- Grayce Joseph of Fit n Funky Aerobics
- Michelle Savage of Bodirockfitness
- Beverley Daniel-Blugh of Zumba With Beverley
- Fiona and Dominique of www.justdanceuk.com
- Maria of www.thedancerooms.co.uk
-
Dance performers
- Paraiso School of Samba
- Capoeira Ceara
- Reez with B Supreme
- Linedancing with Primetime
- Flamenco with Viva Flamenco
- Bollywood with Angel Dancers
- And of course to all the Zumba participants – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Hospice needs nifty knitters now!
Harris HospisCare is calling out to the knitting community in the London Borough of Bromley in a bid to gain your much needed knitting services. We are currently working on this year’s Easter campaign which involves armies of volunteers knitting chicks and bunnies to fill with small chocolate eggs.
So far this year we have had over 3500 knitted chicks and bunnies stuffed with small chocolate eggs ready to go into local shops and businesses, but we are in desperate need for more. If you, a friend, or members of your social group have any spare time and would like to knit chicks and bunnies for the hospice we would be very grateful.
This year’s call for small chocolate eggs has had a great response and we have received donations from local business and supermarkets including Waitrose Beckenham, Bookers Sidcup, and Sainsburys and Tesco in Bromley. – Thank you for all of your support.
Harris HospisCare Fundraising Assistant Marlon Burton says “In 2012 our aim is to raise £4,000 during the Easter chick campaign. All we need now is to find more people to join our army of knitters and we can achieve our goal. This is a great way for people to get take part’ in an amazing fundraising appeal and people of all ages can get involved, if you can knit chicks or bunnies we would be very grateful to hear from you.”
Knitting patterns are available NOW from all the Harris HospisCare shops and the fundraising department. For more information or an electronic copy of our knitting pattern please contact Marlon Burton on m.burton@harrishospiscare.org.uk alternatively call 01689 825755.
Harris HospisCare shops:
Biggin Hill Shop
- 214A Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3BD
Chatterton Road Shop
- 11 Chatterton Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 9QW
Locksbottom Shop
- 373 Crofton Road Locksbottom, Orpington, Kent BR6 8NR
Locksbottom Furniture Shop
- 375 Crofton Road, Locksbottom, Orpington, Kent BR6 8NR
Orpington Shop
- 302 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 ONF
Petts Wood Shop
- 73 Queensway, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1DQ
Local Pub Supports Harris HospisCare and other charities with Car Challenge
Mark Russell and Andy Cope from the Tally Ho in Knockholt are calling out to local petrol heads who love a challenge; they have decided to lead a group of fundraisers on a challenge from the Tally Ho to Sagres in Portugal. Participants are given the choice of raising money for Harris HospisCare, Primrose Breast Cancer or the Valance School. This epic journey will begin on Saturday 19 May with a convoy of cars worth no more than £500 each embarking on a 1,500 mile journey lasting 5 days and 4 nights. The mission is simple - raise at least £500 for charity and try to finish the journey.
Just like the challenges that you see on Top Gear, this wouldn’t be complete without a few rules and regulations.
The rules are very strict in a bid to make you donate more money to charity:
- All cars have to be – pre 1990.
- No more than 3 people per car.
- No women or children are allowed to be passengers.
- All cars must be fully taxed, insured and have an MOT.
- You are ONLY allowed to travel on A or B roads.
- You will receive a number a different fines should you need roadside assistance.
- A deposit of £150 is to be paid as soon as possible – this will cover ferry crossings and campsite costs.
Fundraising Assistant Marlon Burton says, “As soon as I heard about this event l thought it was a brilliant idea. Harris HospisCare is delighted to be involved and the money raised will allow us to continue to offer care and support to patients and their families in the London Borough of Bromley. I think anyone who attends this event will have an amazing time - I just which I could go myself!”
For more information about taking part please contact A.J. at The Tally Ho Pub on 01959 533 602 or email enquiries@tallyhopub.co.uk.
Harris HospisCare 500 Club first winners announced!
On Tuesday 31 January Harris HospisCare held the very first draw of the brand new 500 Club.
The 500 Club gives hospice supporters the opportunity to win cash prizes each month whilst also raising funds for the essential work of the hospice. It costs just £5 per month per number and half of all the funds collected will be given away in prizes. The remainder is donated to the hospice without administration costs deducted, meaning that 50p in every £1 generated will directly support the cause.
Every month three cash prizes will be given away and a little will be reserved for a bumper draw in December. The first lucky winners are Mrs Wright of Chislehurst, Mrs Garelick of Orpington and Mr Holt of Bromley; their winning cheques are on the way to them.
So far there are 230 numbers in play but the hospice hopes to reach 500 in the next few months, which would mean the total raised for the hospice over the course of a year would be £15,000.
Fundraising Manager, Christine Davies said: We wanted to do something to thank supporters and prize draw will do exactly that. The amount to win will really mount up as the number of members grows. It’s a win – win situation with half the proceeds being given back to the supporters and the remainder will help us to continue providing care to those who need it in our community.
The hospice is looking for more places to promote the 500 Club. Are you a member of a club, group or society? Do you work in a place with lots of employees or customers? If so can you distribute leaflets? Please contact Christine Davies on 01689 825755 for a supply of leaflets.
For more details, please contact Christine Davies on 01689 825755 or email fundraising@harrishospiscare.org.uk
Pantomime star David Spinx ‘arrested’ for Charity
On Thursday (8 December), two Bromley business people and a panto star were ‘arrested’ as part of a special ‘Jail n’ Bail’ fundraising initiative to raise money for Harris HospisCare. This event has taken place each year since 2005 in conjunction with Police Officers from the Bickley Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, raising over £43,000 for the hospice.
Each ‘felon’ is arrested in their place of work and a charge is accused. Once in handcuffs the ‘felons’ are taken away in the police van and are not released until they have raised their ‘bail’ money.
The first ‘felon’ arrested was Lisa Davis at Harris HospisCare in front of astonished patients and volunteers. Second was a visit to Barclays Bank, Petts Wood, to arrest branch manager Martin Hennessey. Martin said: ‘We have been encouraging customers to contribute to my ‘bail’ money for the past two weeks and Barclays will double the total raised. Many have been very generous as it is for a fantastic local charity.’
Finally David Spinx was ‘arrested’ at the Churchill Theatre Bromley for the ‘attempted murder’ of Snow White. PC Stuart Manuel stormed the stage at the end of the performance to make the ‘arrest’ in front of the baffled audience. As he was led away in handcuffs the crowd cheered and was encouraged to donate generously to enable his release.
PC Stuart Manuel, of the Bickley Safer Neighbourhood Team, who was an integral part of the day’s success, said: “We had a great day yet again. It was a pleasure to make the arrests knowing that the charity will be receiving much needed funds towards patient care in Bromley.’
Christine Davies, Fundraising Manager at Harris HospisCare added “We have raised over £43,000 from the event since its start in 2005, which is the equivalent of funding a specialist home care nurse for more than a year. All monies raised will go towards helping Harris HospisCare to fund its services for terminally ill patients live in Bromley, their families and carers.”
Christmas carols at Holy Innocents’ in aid of Harris HospisCare
Everyone is welcome to Harris HospisCare annual charity concert on Monday 12 December at 7.30pm. This is a chance to sing alongside local school children and opera singers. A collection will raise funds for the hospice .
The concert will be held at Holy Innocents’ Catholic Church, Strickland Way, Orpington.
Holy Innocents' Catholic Primary School choir, Petts Wood Operatic Society and the Harris HospisCare Choir will lead the carol singing. The Mayor of Bromley will attend.
Marlon Burton, Assistant Fundraiser at Harris HospisCare says: “Our annual Christmas carol concert is a really heart-warming way to start celebrating the festive season. And the money raised makes a huge difference .”
Hospice looking for headline act for summer fair
Harris HospisCare in Tregony Road, Orpington has this week launched a borough-wide search for an act to headline the Summer Fair, Car and Bike Show on Saturday 11 June 2011 at Green St Green.
With the Fair regularly attracting hundreds of people, event co-ordinator Simon Pitts said “We are looking for an act that can entertain and thrill an audience for an hour long slot at this year’s event. We have many new additions to the Fair this year, including a dedicated car and bike show, so we really want something special to headline the day’.
Interested bands, singers and entertainers should send in CDs, DVDs or internet links along with their contact details to the Fundraising Department, Harris HospisCare, Tregony Road, Orpington BR6 9XA. Further information can be found on the Hospice website or on Facebook.
