Big Build Appeal reaches milestone

MARIE Curie Cancer Care’s BIG build appeal to build and equip a new hospice for the West Midlands by raising £7 million through a public appeal has reached a major milestone.

Support from the public, local businesses, schools and groups together with major pledges due in the New Year means the charity now has just £1 million to raise.

The community has helped by organising fundraising events such as street collections, quizzes, film nights, a vintage tea party and other enterprising and original activities that have helped move the target of the appeal down from £7 million to the £1 million now needed.

BIG build appeal Director Noel Cramer said: “The support we have received from the public and local businesses has helped us reach an exciting point in the fundraising appeal.

"We are opening the hospice to patients in mid January and our appeal will continue until we raise the final £1 million, so we’d invite everyone to help us at this crucial time.

"The final £1 million is going to be the toughest to raise, a bit like the last mile of a marathon to run, so we hope our supporters can help us reach the finish line with one final push.”

The charity is highlighting its ‘BIG Parcels of Care’ for people who wish to back a particular item in the new hospice.

For example, a donation of £20 could buy a blanket for a patient bed or £100 could fund a visitor chair.

A range of different options are available as gift ideas at Christmas time. To find out more call the fundraising office on 0121 254 7843 or go online at www.mariecurie.org.uk/bigparcels

Liz Cottier, Hospice Manager added: “ We have been planning this wonderful facility for a long time and the builders have been working hard to get the new hospice ready for patients in mid January.

“Knowing that the kindness of local supporters has taken us to within touching distance of achieving the fundraising target is truly fantastic and our staff have also found time to carry out their own fundraising events.

"We’re all very excited by what we will be able to offer patients and their families in the New Year.”

To find out more visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/bigbuild

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