Setting out virtual stalls for Hospice
LOCKDOWN brought with it a range of innovative and virtual activities for people to take part in, but a local charity is taking things one step further by taking its popular fundraising Summer Fair entirely online.
The Summer Fair, which has been a highlight of the St Ann’s Hospice fundraising calendar for decades, sees hundreds of people visiting hospice sites to take part in activities, watch entertainment, join in with raffles and tombolas and grab a bargain or two.
But, this year the team have had to think a bit differently about how to safely deliver a Summer Fair experience in the current circumstances and have come up with an online Takeover on their Facebook channel which will include a wide range of activities for people to take part in.
Eamonn O’Neal, chief executive of St Ann’s, explained: “From the start of the year we regularly get messages from people asking what date our Summer Fairs will be held and they really are tremendously popular. This year we knew we had to think differently about how to deliver them safely and we hope people will enjoy what we have planned.
“There’ll be entertainers performing on our Facebook page, along with raffles, virtual events and activities and traditional fair stalls will also be taken online – for example you can watch a video and guess how many sweets are in the jar to win a prize or enjoy seeing directors from the hospice pelted with wet sponges by our (usually) friendly mascot Stan.
“We’re hoping lots of people will drop in on the day to take part on our Facebook page and show their support by joining in the raffles or activities or making a donation. It’s been a really difficult time for the hospice, as it has for everyone, and our nurses and doctors have been working incredibly hard on the front line, providing care for more patients than they have ever before. It’s vital we can continue raising funds for that care to continue and we’re so thankful to everyone who has supported us in recent months. We can’t thank you enough and we hope you enjoy all the fun of our fair.”
The Summer Fair Takeover will be held on the St Ann’s Hospice Facebook page from 10am to 3pm on Sunday.
Raffle prizes will include a signed Anthony Martial Manchester United T-Shirt, Hotel Chocolat Velvetier worth more than £100, a Body Shop hamper, fully stocked picnic basket, sweet hampers, plus many more prizes.
Local people will also be hosting stalls and holding raffles of their own in their local communities, to help increase the amount raised from the fair. The hospice fundraising team can help with items to raffle so anyone interested in running activities as part of the virtual event should contact the team on events@sah. org.uk or call 0161 498 3631.
The hospice’s Heald Green charity shop will also be open on the Sunday from 11am until 3pm with a large range of items on sale as part of the Summer Fair Takeover.
For more information, please visit www.sah.org. uk/events or call 0161 498 3631.