Fundraising trio take to their scooters for local hospices

A fundraising trio is carrying out a unique hospice-to-hospice scooter ride in aid of local charities, including St Catherine’s and Derian House.

Keen fundraisers Jaqui Collins, Mo Collins and Deborah Keenan from Accrington, have arranged a variety of activities over the past year, including; pop-up shops, car boots, family fun day’s and physic nights.

The trio will be riding to East Lancashire Hospice, Derian House, St Catherine’s and Pendleside throughout March.

Jaqui – a former Regimental Sergeant Major who served in the army from 1982 to 2014 in the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and Bosnia – wanted to help after her best friend and former colleague experienced hospice care.

Roy Silva stayed in East Lancashire Hospice at the start of 2016, following his diagnosis of terminal neck and throat cancer. Since then, Jaqui has carried out a range of fundraisers for the charity.

She said: “Roy’s final few weeks at the hospice were pain-free, his quality of life improved and he was able to enjoy time with his friends and family.”

She added: “My mum, Mo, came up with the idea of travelling to the hospice’s on scooters. We thought the unusual way to fundraise would raise awareness of the fantastic work that they do.”

Sharon Crymble, Fundraising Manager at East Lancashire Hospice, said: “Both Jaqui and her mum Mo have put a great deal of time and effort into raising funds for the hospice, and their fundraising ideas ensure that their events are fresh and in most cases, quite a challenge.

“We would like to wish them well for the events and thank them for the time and energy they give to helping us to raise the funds needed to care for our patients.”

St Catherine’s Hospice fundraiser, Hayley Jackson, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Jaqui, Mo and Deborah for taking on this unique mobility scooter challenge. Without the support of people like these intrepid scooter riders, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing care and support to patients like Roy and their families when it’s needed the most.

“There has never been more of a need for hospices like St Catherine’s and the others they are fundraising for, and as charities we rely on our wonderful communities to help us raise the millions of pounds needed to look after our friends and neighbours, who without our help, would suffer avoidable distress and unnecessary time in hospital.

“We would like to wish the fundraising trio the very best of luck in their hospice-to-hospice scooter rides, and we look forward to welcoming them at St Catherine’s on March 21^st.”

Accrington Mobility in Accrington Town Hall has loaned the trio the use of three mobility scooters for their hospice-to-hospice ride.

Stuart Chell, partnerships manager at Derian House, said: “What an innovative and unusual way to raise funds! We’re delighted that Jaqui, Mo and Deborah will be taking to their mobility scooters to raise money for us at Derian House and want to wish them all the very best for their epic journey.

“The children and young people we care for– with life-limiting medical conditions and life-threatening illnesses – are keen to cheer on this intrepid trio! We hope lots of people will turn out to show their support for them en route, too!”

Christina Cope, fundraising manager at Pendleside Hospice, thanked the women for taking the time to organise this event.

She said: “The Hospice 4 Hospice event is not only a great way to highlight the vital work undertaken by all four hospices, but will also provide much needed funding enabling the hospices to continue providing care to the people who need our services.

“We are all looking forward to welcoming them to Pendleside Hospice as they cross the finish line on the 28 March.”

The journeys will take place on;

7^th March Accrington Market – East Lancashire Hospice

14^th March East Lancashire Hospice – Derian House

21^st March Derian House – St Catherine’s Hospice

28^th March Accrington Town Hall – Pendleside Hospice

Share with your friends!