The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Fundraisers tell of pride as they ‘hand the baton over’
Three seasoned fundraisers who have helped to raise well over £100,000 for local children’s hospices have said they are “so proud” of the work they have done.
Barbara Davies (78), Anne Simmons, and Chrissie Rawlinson (both 77), have been tireless supporters of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), which is based in Milton, Cambs.
The three ladies, who have been linchpins of EACH’s Peterborough Friends Group for many years, have helped raise nearly £125,000.
“I feel so proud - I couldn’t believe it when we found out how much we’d raised,” said
Chrissie, who lives in Eastonon-the-Hill and has three children and seven grandchildren.
“It’s hugely rewarding and I hope that money has made a real difference.”
“I couldn’t be more happy or proud of everything we achieved together, as a team,” added mum of two, Barbara, who also has seven grandsons.
“It’s so much money and our privilege to have helped and supported such a magnificent charity.”
All three ladies have recently decided that now is the right time to hand over the baton to a new generation of fundraisers.
Barbara, who lives in Peterborough and was a driving force behind the group for many years, decided to step
down last month.
“EACH ran through my veins for many years and
became part of me,” she explained.
“It took up a lot of my time
but was always worth it and something I enjoyed and found very rewarding.
“Volunteering is definitely something I’d recommend to anyone,” she said.
“It gives you a great sense of achievement and an opportunity to make a real difference.”
At its height, the Peterborough Friends Group had 15 members.
The group used a raft of strategies to raise money for EACH, organising countless coffee mornings, raffles, tombolas and bucket collections, as well as attending fetes, festivals, carol services and firework displays to help raise awareness of the hospices’ work.
Are you interested in volunteering for EACH, and/or raising funds and awareness in the Peterborough area? If so, email Helena.Davis@each. org.uk to find out more.