Barclay’s staff in fantastic show of support for St Catherine’s Hospice

From lending a hand at the St Catherine’s Christmas Festival and volunteering at the hospice’s Masquerade Summer Ball, to modelling clothing at the charity’s Ladies’ Night fashion show; staff from Barclay’s have pulled out all the stops to support their chosen charity over the past 12 months.

Colleagues from branches in Preston, Chorley and Leyland have come together to help out at some of St Catherine’s Hospice’s fantastic community events, and have also donated a wonderful £11,000 generated through fundraising and match-funding from the bank.

Shirley Murrell, community banker at the Fishergate branch in Preston, said: “We love being part of the hospice’s amazing fundraising events – it’s so much fun and we get our families involved too. My daughter and I ran the ‘Play Your Cards Right’ game at the Christmas Festival whilst colleagues volunteered with the catering team and on the entrance collecting donations from visitors. It was a great weekend and we can’t wait to support this year’s Christmas Festival as well!

“I also took part in the catwalk show at Ladies’ Night during the summer, and a group of us acted as ‘spotters’ during the brilliant raffle and auction at the Masquerade Ball, which was really fun.

“What’s more, Barclay’s match-funds anything we raise as a result of our efforts in supporting the events. It’s also a good opportunity to promote Barclay’s in the community and have a positive impact on a local charity in this way. It does make you feel really good and I’d encourage anyone to fundraise or volunteer for St Catherine’s through their workplace.”

Emma Jacovelli, head of community engagement at St Catherine’s – which cares for people with life-shortening illnesses at the Lostock Hall hospice and in people’s own homes across Lancashire – said: “Shirley and the Barclay’s team have been incredible supporters of St Catherine’s over the past few years. As well as raising vital funds, it’s been great to see staff getting involved on a more personal level by coming along and helping out at our events. They work really hard for our cause and we’re so grateful for all of their wonderful fundraising and volunteering efforts. We’re delighted to have such a great relationship with a firm like Barclay’s.”

• This year’s St Catherine’s Christmas Festival takes place in the grounds of St Catherine’s Park in Lostock Hall on Saturday November 31 and Sunday December 1.

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