“We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support of our amazing fundraisers. We want to thank each and every one of them for all they do for us”
Joanne Carroll – Community & Events Fundraising Manager
There’s an old saying about how the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. That’s exactly how we approach the serious task of raising the £16m we need to supplement the money we receive from the NHS every year to provide quality end of life care across the five boroughs we serve.
And we never cease to be amazed by the incredible creativity and commitment of our legion of supporters who push themselves in so many different ways to help us reach what can be a daunting target.
For those of you thinking you might like to join the tens of thousands of people who contribute, but are unsure how to do it, take inspiration from the exploits of just some of the standout performers from the last year or so. You’ll see there are any number of ways to raise sums large or small.
First up – the runners, like Poppy Younger. After years of being a spectator at the London Marathon, Poppy was inspired to swap watching for running when her father Ricky died in our care in March 2023.
In anticipation of completing the challenge, Poppy said: “I can’t wait to have the medal, put it in a frame on my wall, have that amazing feeling of being able to say I’ve done it and raised as much money as I can for St Christopher’s as my way of giving something back.”
Poppy’s marathon run raised £9100 for St Christopher’s and she completed the course in five hours 52 minutes, not bad for a novice runner.
Becca Taylor and her partner Will Perrett ran the 32km route of the Circle Line, raising thousands along the way, in memory of Becca’s grandad Derek who we cared for.
“My grandad had Parkinson’s and St Christopher’s really helped my family through that time. So, when it said on the back of the funeral hymn sheet about donations to the hospice, I started to think about what we could do. We wanted to do something bigger, better and a bit different.”
Cyclist Mark Gately has raised thousands for the hospice through cycling – to both Amsterdam and Paris – to where he’s headed on two wheels again in the Palace to Palace ride in September 2025. Mark explains why he’s come back for more: “These rides are a wonderful experience – exciting to start and great to finish. There is such a good atmosphere and feeling of camaraderie as everyone has a common interest.”
Adopting a slower pace, retired postie Bill Smith has raised more than £3,000 through walking – both Hadrian’s Wall and every Fun Walk we’ve run. Bill explains his single-minded devotion to the hospice: “I took the decision that I wanted a target and if I was going to raise money, I was going to do it for St Christopher’s. In fact, if anyone knocks at the door from another charity, I just tell them I support St Christopher’s.”
When we mentioned creativity earlier, we meant it. Artist, curator and gallery owner, Ben Oakley, used his creative talent and extensive network of artists to sell thousands of unique painted plaster penguins, Phing Things as they’re known, as a means of saying thank-you for the care and support his mother received from the hospice.
Ben sums it up simply: “As artists, we often don’t have money to give but we have hands that can create desirable artworks that do make money.”
Petrolhead Mike Twomey has used his passion to raise pounds – more than 50,000 of them, curating an annual classic car show in Knockholt. Mike’s support started when his wife Marita was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
“I’ve always been very passionate about the hospice. She spent the last five days of her life at St Christopher’s in her own room which was lovely, and I was there nearly all the time – day and night. I was so grateful for the care they gave her.”
Another £50,000 contributor is Sarah Campbell who says she wanted to repay the ‘utmost love’ we showed her best friend, Irene, and her husband Mark. Over the years, Sarah has sold plants, performed magic shows and bubble displays.
“I’ll definitely keep going because I just feel I have a lifelong debt to pay for the care they gave Irene and are now giving Mark. My experience of St Christopher’s is of a place that is calm, kind, safe, caring and loving. I think it’s a place where lucky people get to die.” Well, we reckon we’re lucky to have supporters like Sarah.
Green-fingered and proud gardeners like Myra Bright have been playing their part too. Myra opened her Beckenham garden to the public and more than 100 visitors paid over £1,000 to admire and buy her plants, as well as enjoy her cakes. She donated the entire sum to St Christopher’s.
“I started mentioning to local people that I was going to do it for St Christopher’s and everyone I spoke to had a connection to the hospice,” says Myra. “It seems to touch so many people’s lives. I have no personal experience, but it is such a good cause.”
It might not fit the stereotype of fundraising, but making regular payments to play our lottery is what more than 8,000 people do, raising more than £500,000 in the process. Eileen Smith is one such lottery player. “I would encourage everyone to think about playing the St Christopher’s lottery because it’s such a wonderful place and you never know when you or a loved one might need it,” Eileen says.
We are delighted to have so many golfers supporting
St Christopher’s throughout the year – whether they’ve chosen us as their Captain’s charity for the year, organised a golf day or taken on a golfing challenge.
Richard Field was one of the more than one thousand people who drove, pitched and putted their way to raising money for us this year. Richard raised over £3,000 at the annual golf day he hosts in memory of his best friend.
As you can see, the £16m elephant starts to look a bit smaller thanks to our running, cycling, walking, gardening, bubble-blowing, car showing, golfing, lottery playing fundraisers. Can you help us reach that sum next year?
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