Wear it Festive and make a difference to the lives of local people this Christmas

St Barnabas House hospice has launched its successful ‘Wear it Festive’ fundraising campaign. This year, anything goes, from simple seasonal socks to outrageous festive frocks.

Local businesses, schools and individuals are being invited to hold an event and fundraise to support the vital hospice care services provided by St Barnabas over the festive period. Whether you get together with colleagues to don your Christmas knits for a small donation, encourage your child’s nursery or school to spend a day in Santa hats, or host a festive dinner party, it couldn’t be easier or more fun to get involved.

St Barnabas House provides specialist palliative care both at the hospice and in the local community, free of charge, 365 days a year including Christmas Day. Community nurses continue to provide care for patients over the Christmas period.

Wendy Bardsley, Community Fundraising Manager at St Barnabas House, said: “Christmas can be a worrying time for many of our patients and their families, and knowing that our care team is there to support them brings real peace of mind.

“Since the launch of Wear it Festive in 2016, the community has raised an incredible £12,000 for St Barnabas House through taking part in the campaign. All donations received will make a real difference to local people. For example, a donation of £68.35 would provide for a visit by one of our Community Palliative Care Team Nurses to a patient’s home, £181 would enable a Hospice at Home nurse to provide a whole night of care for a patient over Christmas and £625 would pay for a 24 hour stay in the In-patient Unit for a patient on Christmas Day.”

Caption: Team at Shh.. Hair Salon, Goring

The team at Shh… Hair Salon in Goring were one of the first to sign up this year, having raised over £300 for the hospice since they first got involved in Wear it Festive three years ago.

Steve Hollis who runs the salon plans to wear a festive jumper. Steve said: “Really, I’m not that keen on dressing up, but this is such a great cause. We have all been touched by the work of St Barnabas House.”

Caption: Team at Michael Jones & Company, Goring

Estate agents from the Goring office of Michael Jones & Company have also registered to take part. James Brock, Branch Manager, said: “It’s a bit of fun that gets everyone involved and raises some money for St Barnabas in the process. As a local company, we like to support local charities like St Barnabas.”

You can join in with Wear it Festive at home, work or school on Friday 14 December 2018, or alternatively pick a date that suits you best.

Register to take part and receive a free fundraising pack at www.stbh.org.uk/wearitfestive or give one of the Fundraising Team a call to find out more on 01903 254777.