Supporters splash out for garden party
Crowds stop day turning into a belly flop!
(Herald Express 25.5.2006)

Anita Epstein of Barnet Samira dancers brightened up the Hospice party

Belly dancers braved the British weather to help the hospice this weekend.

Former Hospice of St Francis volunteer Anita Epstein, of the Banet Samira dancers, top, was part of the entertainment working to keep visitors' minds off the awful weather.
Despite the rain pouring down most of Sunday, (May 21), it did not stop the crowds turning up at Ashridge Management College as the hospice held its annual garden party.

Penny Bird, trust and corporate development manager at the hospice said: "The weather was absolutely appalling and the ground looked like a football pitch by the end of the day, but the staunch British supporters of the hospice were out there and couldn't be put off by a bit of damp weather.
"We had about 300 people there which was amazing considering the weather."

Through cake stalls, plant sales, bric-a-brac and a Pimms tent the hospice hopes to have raised around £2,000 towards its capital campaign.
Penny added: "We were selling Pimms to people and trying to convince them that if we all drank them, then the sun would come out!"
Ashridge College provides its grounds free of charge for the hospice and the garden party is usually one of the biggest events of the fundraising calendar.
Penny said: "Takings were down on previous years but the efforts of people there were fantastic.
"It was just great that people did turn out for us."

The HeraldExpress and The Gazette supported capital campaign for the hospice has now brought in £260,793 since it was launched in October last year.
It needs to raise £2.5 million to complete the construction of a purpose-built facility on the edge of Berkhamsted.
Penny said: "What a remarkable achievement!
"We've still got a long way to go to reach the target. This week we launched the Big Brick Buy campaign where you can buy a brick for £5 to help finish the hospice."
If you are a company or an individual and want to get involved with helping the hospice, call it on 01442 869550.