Demelza fundraisers are forced to call it a day

Charity bosses have praised the efforts of three women who have raised thousands of pounds to help sick children.

Eileen Wilson, Hilda Durrant and Joan Dudley have been supporting Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Ashford, and have collected more than £3,000 in this year alone.

They have been responsible for organising cake sales, quizzes and coffee mornings, as well as selling quilts and hand-sewn goods at craft fairs.

But now the trio, who have raised more than £10,000 in total, are putting away their sewing baskets and needles.

Ms Wilson said: “We have had great fun meeting up to chat, sew, and sell things to raise money for Demelza, but we are not getting any younger.

“A couple of us have health problems, so we all felt that now was the right time to stop.”

Hospice fundraiser Leila Ilkhan has praised their “sterling” efforts, adding: “These ladies have been amazing.

“Over the past four years, their support has been fantastic.

“Unfortunately, they are going to leave a big hole in our fundraising in Ashford, so we would be delighted to welcome anyone on board who would like to help with our fundraising efforts.

“We don’t expect them to climb mountains or run marathons.

“Coffee mornings, book sales, bric-a-brac sales and raffles are small events that can add up to a big total at the end of the year.”

The charity runs three hospices for children, including one at Sittingbourne, and relies on donations to raise £10 million each year to support hundreds of sick children.

Ms Ilkhan is encouraging groups of friends or workplace colleagues to get together and volunteer to help.

Anyone who is interested should email Leila.ilkhan@ demelza.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 07825 094777.

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Demelza Hospice supporters Eileen Wilson, Hilda Durrant and Joan Dudley with community fundraiser David Holmes