Fair game for hospice fund
(Hemel Hempstead Gazette 31/5/2006)
by Pete Bennett

ALL THE FUN OF THE FETE: Left - Roger Sharp, Betty MacDonald, Jackie Homey and Anna Hall at Gadebridge Park Fete promoting the Hospice of St Francis Big Brick Buy Campaign.

The clouds parted and the crowds gathered in Gadebridge Park on Sunday, raising valuable funds for The Hospice of St Francis.

More than 4000 revellers turned out to enjoy some Bank Holiday Weekend fun and help the new Big Brick Buy campaign get off to a good start.
Organiser of the event Martin Crowhurst said: "It went really well. We were very lucky having the best day of the weekend - we had no rain whatsoever!"

Crowds enjoyed Smith's funfair, majorette displays, mini-fun karts, Goldwing bikes and an impressive performance from the John Whiteley sheep­dog and farmyard display team. Martin added: "There was a good turn out and all the stalls had a good day. I think everyone enjoyed themselves."

Martin urged people to do their bit to help the hospice raise the money it needs to . complete the construction of the new premises. He said: "I was asked by Mike Penning to organise an event in the park for his charity, so that's what I did. I have been supporting the hospice throughout its campaign. I would encourage everyone to help them out so they can get the new hospice up and running as soon as possible."

Roger Sharp, Community Appeals Manager at the hospice said the day went well and helped raise the profile of the Big Brick Buy. He said: "It all went very well and it was a nice sunny day which you wouldn't have expected. It's the first event we have done there and we man­aged to sell some bricks and help raise awareness of the campaign. "Martin Crowhurst did a great job of making the day a success. "What I would say is I'm pleased with the progress of the campaigns. Despite all the national and international disaster funds and charities at the moment, money continues to come in to the hospice, which I think is indicative of the importance of the charity to people."

The Gazette's Dig Deep appeal has now brought in a total of £262,694 since it was launched last year, up almost £2,000 on last week but is still far short of the £2.5 million needed to complete the project. Much of the money raised this week came from the new Big Brick Buy campaign and a fundraising lunch at the New Akash in Berkhamsted.

Liz Richards, of the hospice said: "It's good to see the money still coming in and we had several forms from The Gazette last week. We really want people now to buy a brick and support the hospice. We want everyone to feel like they are part of the hospice and by buying a brick they can do that." "We're now looking for out lets for our brick leaflets. Office receptions, pubs, clubs, shops, hairdressers, anywhere is great and we have special stands to hold them. "It's really, really important that we raise as much money as we can from this appeal as we are still a long way short of the £2.5 million target."

Left - Aamir Khurshid (9) rides on the Go Karts. Centre - Madison Trollope (4) has her face painted. Right - Serkan Ersungur (7) shooting a crossbow with sucker arrows at a dartboard target.