Students tapped into gin trend to raise funds for St Catherine’s!

Three students studying tourism and event management used the popularity of a trendy tipple to raise money for St Catherine’s.

Ellie Harrison, Georgina Dawkins and Thomas Stearstree organised the Gin Night at The Market Ale House in Leyland and raised a brilliant £346.

They were tasked with putting on an event to raise awareness of a charity as part of their coursework at Runshaw College, where they are studying a foundation degree run in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire.

They chose St Catherine’s because they wanted to benefit a local organisation, and also because both Ellie and Tom’s families have had personal experience of the care the hospice provides.

The night welcomed a representative from Whitley Neill Gin Distillers who gave their time voluntarily to give a talk about the drink, and included tastings of two different gins.

The trio also organised a raffle which raised further funds.

Ellie said: “It was a fantastic night and we received lots of good feedback – with everyone who attending saying they would come again which is great!

“It was really good having Norman, the fundraiser from St Catherine’s, there too. He gave a talk about the hospice, and we know lots of people went away understanding much more about the work of the charity and the many different things St Catherine’s does.”

Norman Cutler, senior fundraiser, said: “We think this event was a fantastic idea of the students, which really tapped into the rising popularity of gin. 

“We’d like to say a big thank you for all the time and effort they put into organising it and for the wonderful funds raised. These will be used to support our work caring for local people with conditions like cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure – helping them to have quality of life, to the end of life.”

Working with St Catherine’s has also inspired the students to become further involved with the charity, with the result that they are now set to volunteer at the Moonlight and Memories Walk on June 30th!

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