Member Article

Housebuilder to fund nurse for children’s hospice

A West Yorkshire housebuilder has announced a fundraising drive to raise thousands of pounds to sponsor a nurse for a year at a children’s hospice.

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire has taken on the challenge to raise £20,000 to fund a nurse at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

It’s a commitment the Leeds-based builder has taken very seriously after its employees got behind an intensive 12-month fundraising calendar to help reach the target.

Managing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, Wayne Gradwell, said: “Since 2012 we have raised more than £14, 000 for the hospice through various employee-led activities. However we now intend to smash this by raising a further £20,000 to achieve our goal.

“After announcing the challenge to my team, many of them came forward with ways in which they could contribute, from taking on the three-peak challenge to running races and baking and hosting tea parties in our marketing suites. It has made me proud to be working with such a caring team.”

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The charity has to raise £3.2m each year to maintain its services as it receives just four per cent funding from the Government.

The nurses, who are referred to as care co-ordinators by the hospice, provide an invaluable service for both the children and their families who are going through an immensely difficult time. The fully-qualified nurse can visit up to 50 families a week working with other professionals and agencies to offer a variable level of care which best suits the needs of the child and their family.

Ben Feely, corporate fundraiser for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, said: “This is the first time a business has taken on such a challenge.

“Our care co-ordinators play such a vital role in the charity’s round-the-clock care – it just wouldn’t be possible to provide our services without them. Every day children and their families face immense challenges and our care co-ordinators work hard to provide the support they need to make their lives a little easier.

“We are very grateful to the West Yorkshire Persimmon team and wish them the very best of luck.”

Wayne added: “From working with the hospice over the years, we have a greater understanding of the funds they require to maintain such a valuable and supportive service.

“This is why we have taken on this tough challenge. It’s the least we can do to help children and families in the areas in which we are building.”

For further information on Persimmon Homes visit www.persimmonhomes.com

The Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire fundraising campaign can be viewed by visiting https://youtu.be/TR0MoRNODRE

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew McLagan .