Hospice awards night in Ayr

Feb 12 2010 by Alan Woodison, Kilmarnock Standard

THE pictures on this page show just SOME of the lengths people have gone to raise money for the Ayrshire Hospice’s Grand Challenge.

The idea was to encourage fundraisers, old and new, to set an individual target of £1,000 for the 21st anniversary year.

And soon the good folk of Ayrshire were rolling up their sleeves and organising all manner of money-making activities.

Suffice to say, the £100,000 target has been reached with a lot of fun and dedication on the way.

Fundraising manager Louis Jardine said “We knew our supporters had great imagination and drive, but we have been overwhelmed by the weird and wonderful ways in which people rose to the challenge this time.

“There has been everything – croquet, football, cricket, quiz, golf, bridge and even a sheep shearing competition. All kinds of sponsored events and social gatherings, including psychic nights, fashion shows and dances have been held.”

Now the fundraisers will be recognised at an awards dinner at the Brig o’ Doon House Hotel, Alloway, on Monday.

This is the actual 21st anniversary of the Hospice’s opening. The first patient was admitted in 1989 and, since then, a dedicated team has provided care and support for patients and families throughout Ayrshire.

Over 12,500 patients have been referred with virtually every town and village in the county represented, truly reflecting the Ayrshire Hospice name.