St Christopher’s Hospice looking for ‘team champions’ to raise £500,000 in just 36-hours as part of What Matters Most campaign
South London hospice St Christopher’s is aiming to raise a game-changing £500,000 in just 36-hours this summer in an effort to meet an increase in demand for services.
The hospice is searching for 200 team champions to support the epic fundraising event which aims to continue their vital work supporting those at the end of their life.
Every donation made during the 36-hour online fundraising campaign will be doubled by match funders, giving supporters a greater opportunity to make an impact on those people they support and their families and loved ones.
St Christopher’s is currently responding to an increase in demand for its services, which comes at a time when income has fallen due to the cost of living crisis.
The team champions will be tasked with rallying friends, family and colleagues during the 36-hour period to show their support for the hospice via social media, text, WhatsApp or email. Each team will have their own dedicated fundraising webpage and compete with other teams to see who can raise the most money.
The campaign, titled What Matters Most, will include a moving film which tells the stories of a number of patients, bereaved family members and staff. Each will share their experiences of receiving support, care and guidance from St Christopher’s. The campaign launches on Sunday 25 June at 8am and run until Monday 26 June at 8pm.
The What Matters Most title refers to a question St Christopher’s staff strive to ask each patient, carer, loved one or supporter; ‘What matters most to you?’. When people are engaged with their healthcare decisions, it can often improve outcomes.
Ben, 17, features in the film and talks about the death of his mum and grandad and the support he received from St Christopher’s Child Bereavement service, Candle.
“I was just 12 years old when my mum died,” he said. “I had no idea I was young and confused. St Christopher’s were there for me when I needed them and they might need to be there for you one day too.”
“They helped me open up and realise that my mum and my grandad are a part of me. Please become a team champion and donate during the campaign so they can continue to help people.”
Philippa Kelham, Director of Campaigns at St Christopher’s, said:
“Our services are more in demand than ever before and we desperately need support from our community to continue our valuable work.
“This is our biggest and boldest fundraising campaign ever and we can only pull it off with the support of our fantastic South London community. From Petts Wood to Bermondsey, Crystal Palace to New Addington and everywhere in between, please join our growing list of team champions so we can reach this huge target and fund our services into the future. What Matters Most needs YOU this June so visit www.stchristophers.org.uk/wmm to join in!”