STAMPS GALORE: Beaver Scouts from Little Gaddesden with the stamps they collected.
Beaver Scouts from Little Gaddesden had a brilliant time as they launched a special fund raising initiative this week.
The Hospice of St Francis at Berkhamsted has been chosen by 1st Little Gaddesden Beaver Scouts as a worthwhile project to support and they will be collecting as many stamps as they can in the next twelve months to hand over to the charity.
And the scheme comes at an exciting time for the hospice, which has been moving into its new £6.4million purpose built premises in Shootersway which HeraldExpress readers helped fund, to finally open the doors to patients this week.
When the Beavers assembled at their meeting place, Little Gaddesden School, for an official start to their charitable activity, the possibilities of what to do with a whole heap of stamps was easily narrowed down to one.
Sarah Thompson, hospice fundraising director, said the collecting of used stamps, old mobile phones and foreign currency was worth a vital £10,000 each year.
She said: "We are absolutely thrilled that kids like the Little Gaddesden Beavers are getting involved in doing something like collecting stamps. Every little helps from the smallest gift to the largest. All these donations will help fund and keep the new hospice running. We really want to thank the Beavers for their help."
A representative from the hospice will be going along to a group meeting to tell the Beavers all about its work.
"We like to do some good in the community and decide on something different to support each year," explained Beaver Leader Linda Platt.
The new £6.4 million centre on the edge of Northchurch is set to become a blueprint for hospices across Europe because of its special design and layout.
Dr Ros Taylor, medical director and chief executive of the hospice, said it had been a very busy and emotional time making the move up to the new site.
She said: "We were really pleased to say goodbye to the old building. Although there were a lot of memories there, it had become impossible to work.
"It (the new premises) cost us £6.4 million and it's being paid for by the local community, including more than £375,000 from readers of the Gazette and Herald Express. Without the generosity of the public there would have been no hospice."
HAPPY DAYS: Staff outside the new Hospice of St Francis on Shootersway, above, while below, an image of the new Hospice.
Fundraising for the Hospice of St Francis continues and a call is going out for any unwanted jewellery.
The hospice is planning to organise its biggest and best ever jewellery sale and needs contributions.
Anyone who has any old jewellery they want to get rid of should place it in a secure envelope or bag, clearly marked jewellery sale and take it to any of the hospice shops, or bring it to the hospice at Spring Garden Lane. Shootersway, Northchurch.
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