New Scheme To Support Childrens’ Hospice (Contributed)

EVER read about the work of Helen & Douglas House and wanted to help out? Well, from this month you can.

An exciting new Friends of Helen & Douglas House scheme is currently being set up to support and motivate willing volunteers who wish to work alongside the fundraising team of the Oxford hospice ? and anyone can join in. Local people in Oxford and beyond are invited to set up their very own Helen & Douglas House Friends Group to represent the hospice in their area and join in their fundraising activities. Initial approaches have already been made to some current enthusiastic supporters and the response has been very positive.

The Friends scheme is a response to numerous enquiries over the years from local people who wish to develop an ongoing active relationship with the fundraising work of Helen & Douglas House. By organising and nurturing the immensely practical and much-appreciated good will of the people of Oxfordshire and beyond, the fundraising team of Helen & Douglas House hopes that people?s enthusiasm will be maintained and that their relationship with their much-valued supporters is enhanced and strengthened.

Each Friends Group will be made up of a number of local people in a village, town or district. They will receive training, guidance and much practical and moral support from the fundraising team at the hospice. As well as helping to support our own events and campaigns, they would also be invited to devise and organise their own fundraising events and initiatives.

At a time when many people are aware of tremendous need in other countries, this new scheme provides an opportunity to offer help to the crucial work a charity much nearer to home. The Friends scheme is run by Joanna Mitchell, Community Fundraising Manager for Helen & Douglas House, and she commented:

“This exciting new scheme will enable groups of people in the community to support Helen & Douglas House in a more regular and positive way. They will be the ‘face’ of the charity in their area and, with lots of encouragement and support from us here in the fundraising team, will be able to plan appropriate events that not only raise money, but are fun for the people attending and organising them too. That?s what fundraising is all about!”

If you are interested in setting up or joining your own Friends of Helen & Douglas House please contact Joanna Mitchell on 01865 794749 OR email: jmitchell@helenanddouglas.org.uk or visit the website: www.helenanddouglas.org.uk