Scooter trio at the ready for fundraiser
A FUNDRAISING trio are carrying out a unique hospice-tohospice scooter ride in aid of four charities.
Keen fundraisers Jaqui Collins, 52, mum Mo Collins, 76, and friend Deborah Keenan, 46, all from Accrington, will be riding to East Lancashire Hospice, Derian House Hospice, St Catherine’s Hospice and Pendleside Hospice throughout March on consecutive Tuesdays as part of the Hospice 4 Hospice challenge.
Jaqui – a former army sergeant major – wanted to help after her late best friend and former colleague experienced hospice care.
Roy Silva stayed in East Lancashire Hospice before his death in February 2016, while suffering from neck and throat cancer. Since then, Jaqui has carried out several fundraisers.
She said: “My mum, Mo, came up with the idea of travelling to the hospices on scooters.
“We thought the unusual way to fundraise would raise awareness of the fantastic work that they do.
“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.”
The trio will begin their challenge at 10am on Tuesday, March 7 from Accrington Town Hall and will ride the six miles to East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn, collecting donations en route.
All money raised during the journey, which could take several hours, will be donated to the hospice.
Over the following three Tuesdays they will ride consecutively from East Lancashire Hospice to Derian House in Chorley, then from Derian House to St Catherine’s Hospice in Preston, and finally on March 28 from St Catherine’s to Pendleside Hospice in Burnley.
The trio have raised more than £14,000 for East Lancashire Hospice over the past year from a variety of fundraisers.
Sharon Crymble, fundraising manager, said the ladies have put a lot of effort into their charity challenges.
She said: “Their fundraising ideas ensure that their events are fresh and in most cases, quite a challenge.”
Accrington Mobility has loaned the three mobility scooters for the ride.