Christmas cash boost for Kilbryde Hospice

Dec 21 2011 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

VERY much in keeping with the festive season the Kilbryde Hospice were delighted to receive three gifts from the East ... Kilbride that is.

Instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh they came in the form of three cheques – one for £780 from the staff of the Nationwide Building Society in East Kilbride and Strathaven; the second for £650 from the ladies’ section of Rolls-Royce Bowling Club and the third for £1200 from the East Kilbride Branch of UNITE.

The cheques were collected on behalf of the hospice by Stuart Glen, their fundraising manager, and Donna Hegarty, their business development manager.

Cash for the Nationwide cheque had been raised earlier in the year when 10 intrepid staff from their East Kilbride and Strathaven branches cycled the perimeter of Great Cumbrae

Nationwide’s senior branch manager at East Kilbride, Andrew Smart, explained: “Our aim was to raise £500 for Kilbryde Hospice and thanks to the generosity of family, friends and customers we more than met our target.

“I'm immensely proud of the Nationwide Building Society staff and would like to thank everyone who donated and supported our fundraising efforts.”

The Ladies’ Section of the Rolls-Royce Bowling Club raised their £650 from a beetle drive and raffle.

Their president, Pat McMillan, said: “It is fantastic to see Kilbryde Hospice, South Lanarkshire's first in-patient hospice fast becoming a reality.

“The services offered at the day hospice are wonderful, but the provision of beds is long overdue.”

Pat added: “The funds raised for Kilbryde Hospice would not have been possible without the support of local businesses, namely, Buchandyke Filling Station, Morrisons, Marks and Spencer, Boots, Glencairn Crystal, The Lee Burn, Pizza Hut, Grant's Florist, Manhattan Fish Shop and Marini's Express, who all donated raffle prizes, and, of course, all the members and friends who attended on the night."

The UNITE donation of £1200 on behalf of their members was presented to Stuart Glen by Ronnie Scott, their branch secretary.

Ronnie explained: “Instead of a Christmas bonus paid to retired branch members, this year the branch decided to make a donation from the general fund to the work of the Kilbryde Hospice.

“The branch committee wanted to reward a local charity and ahead of the build next year Kilbryde Hospice seemed like the obvious choice.

“We look forward to watching the progress of the hospice next year and are proud our members have made a contribution."

On behalf of the hospice, Stuart praised the fundraising efforts of the three groups, adding: “We are immensely grateful to the staff at Nationwide Building Society, the Ladies’ Section of Rolls-Royce Bowling Club and the members of the East Kilbride Branch of UNITE.

“The year 2012 will be a momentous year for Kilbryde Hospice.

“We hope to start building South Lanarkshire's first hospice in the Spring, but this would not have been possible without phenomenal local support, support from people like Andrew, Pat and Ronnie. People like you. Thank you.”

Stuart added: “To coincide with the building of the new Kilbryde Hospice, we've put together an exciting programme of events for local supporters.

“There's something for everyone, so hopefully you can support Kilbryde Hospice in 2012. Check out our website for further details - www.kilbrydehospice.org.uk.”