Driving off with a classic
(Herald Express 20/4/2006)
by Pete Bennett

ON THE ROAD: Roger Sharp, community appeals manager handing over the car to a very pleased Richard Hands.

A Classic car put up for auction by the Hospice of St Francis has added £1,000 to the Dig Deep campaign.

The 1983 Reliant Scimitar was donated by Jo Thompson of London, who lost her husband Dan at the hospice in 2002.
Car enthusiast Richard Hands of Essex placed the winning bid on eBay and drove away a happy man. Roger Sharp, community appeals manager at the hospice said: "I'm pleased with the amount raised by the car and the winning bidder was delighted."

The car had been off the road since Dan's death and Jo Thompson decided she wanted to do something for the hospice.
Jo said: "I was sad to see it go but I'm pleased it raised some money for the hospice.
"I'd like to thank the people who got the car ready before the auction and everyone at the hospice."

The car was placed on eBay by the hospice and bids rolled in from the end of February.
Roger said: "It got quite exciting watching the bids come in and the figures go up. Every little bit helps. We are very grateful to Jo Thompson for her donation. We understood it was a sensitive situation for her and she seemed to be pleased to have helped."

Three tenors pull in crowds

A recent concert organised by the Berkhamsted and District Welsh Society raised £2,000 for the Dig Deep campaign.

The Three Other Tenors appeared at the Centenary Hall in Berkhamsted last month to show their vocal talents in aid of the hospice and British Airways' charity Dreamflignt.
Louise Cecil, capital campaign events co-ordinator at the hospice said: "There were more than 400 people there and we are very grateful. It was fantastic, thoroughly enjoyable evening and I hope they return as soon as possible to do it again!"