In the January issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal, we saw local resident Tony Giles hand over a cheque for £2,000 to the charity Above and Beyond, who raise vital funds for hospitals in the centre of Bristol. This month, Tony has already reached his next target of raising another £1,000 for the charity.

On Sunday 10th February, at the Beaufort Arms in Stoke Gifford, a cheque was presented to Above and Beyond for the Meadow Ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital. The Meadow Ward is a surgical ward and the money raised will be used to purchase new play equipment for the children to use both before and after their surgeries.

Speaking after the cheque presentation, Tony said:

“There was a really good turnout for the presentation of the £1,000 and I am really happy that we have reached the target already. I have received lots of positive feedback which makes it all worthwhile.”

Lydia McGivern, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity, said:

“We are so grateful to Tony and everyone at the Beaufort Arms for their amazing support. In the last three years they have raised over £5,000 for Bristol city centre hospitals, supporting areas including bowel cancer research, children’s cardiac services and children’s cancer services. This donation will go to Meadow Ward, the day case surgical unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where young patients prepare for surgery. This can be a frightening time, and the support of the Beaufort Arms will help to make the ward as comfortable as possible.”

More: Tony’s next fundraising challenge is already taking shape »

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Terminal illness charity Marie Curie is seeking the help of volunteers from across the Stokes to give two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.

The charity’s annual fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal, takes place in February and March, and Marie Curie are hoping to get more people than ever wearing the daffodil pin.

This year, the local Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group will be collecting at:

• Friday 15th February – Thornbury Tesco
• Friday 22nd February – Bradley Stoke Tesco Extra
• Thursday 28th February, Friday 1st & 2nd March – Cribbs Causeway Morrisons
• Thursday 28th February – Patchway Asda
• 28th, 29th & 30th March – Filton Asda
• Saturday 6th April – The Mall Cribbs Causeway

Jane Marshal, fundraising group chair, said:

“I collect every year for the Great Daffodil Appeal. It is a fun and easy way to get involved in your local community whilst at the same time knowing you are making a big difference to families facing the toughest of times.”

“Could you please spare an hour or two to help us collect? If so, please contact the Five Stokes Fundraising Group on 07909 966367 or email thefivestokesfundraisinggroup@gmail.com”

To find out more about what the Marie Curie charity does to help those with a terminal illness, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or to find out more about the Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group, visit their Facebook page.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal news magazine (on page 23). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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Wednesday 5th December saw a group of women come together at Stoke Gifford Baptist Church to enjoy an evening of mulled wine, mince pies and wreath making in order to raise money for Marie Curie.

The evening proved to be very popular as all 20 tickets were sold within a week. It was very well organised by Jane Marshall, Pippa Rolfe, Jackie Scott, Bernie Bertagne, Angie Robins and Shiela White. Most of the greenery for the wreaths was foraged and many of the decorative items were donated. Local shops, Co-op and Lidl also provided the snacks and drinks for the evening.

Helen Isbell, a community fundraiser for Marie Curie, attended the event and she said:

“This was a great evening. I would like to thank the group for what they do locally in the community. Events like this help raise vital funds towards nursing care and the charity itself. It also helps to spread awareness of what the charity does, especially at this time of year when many of our nurses will be working over Christmas. This event has helped to raise funds for people who might be spending their last Christmas with their families.”

Marie Curie is a charity that provides care and support for people living with a terminal illness, as well as their families. The Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group work incredibly hard throughout the year to raise vital funds for this charity that is important to each and every one of them. The wreath making was a fun and sociable event to end their year of fundraising. Jane Marshall, chair of the group, said:

“We were overwhelmed with the support for our first Christmas wreath-making workshop in aid of Marie Curie; the evening was full of craft, chatter and Christmas cheer. We were so pleased to raise £464 on the night, which will help fund vital nursing care & support for people with a terminal illness. Requests for the same again next year have already come in!”

The next big fundraising event for Marie Curie is the Daffodil Appeal which will take place in February/March 2019; so look out for the volunteers dressed in bright yellow with their collection buckets!

• For further information, visit the Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group page on Facebook.

This article originally appeared in the January 2019 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal news magazine (on page 6). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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The Five Stokes Fundraising Group for Marie Curie met for their AGM on Monday 17th September. The group have been very busy over the year and have organised daffodil collections, serviced collection tins and held a Blooming Great Tea Party. Since forming in 2014, the group have now raised an impressive £37,430.19, which will be enough money to fund 1,871 hours of local nursing care in the community.

Last month, the group organised a hugely successful online auction to raise funds for Marie Curie. The auction ran during the last week in October where members of the local community bid on a wide selection of prizes, including cinema tickets, beauty products and even a signed Worcester Warriors rugby shirt. The auction ended on Sunday 28th October and the final amount raised will be posted on the group’s Facebook page.

Jane Marshall, a member of the group, said:

“We chose to end the auction on 28th October as when most of us are enjoying an extra hour of sleep, Marie Curie nurses will be working an extra hour. The middle of the night can be the hardest times for patients and families and it is in those darkest hours that this care can make the biggest difference. Our Marie Curie nurses, work through the night, providing an extra hour of care to people living with a terminal illness, and their families.”

The group are currently getting ready for their upcoming events, including running a stall at the Thornbury Christmas lights switch-on, which is taking place on Tuesday 20th November between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and their big Christmas fundraising event, a wreath making workshop. This will be taking place on the evening of Wednesday 5th December in Stoke Gifford with a minimum donation of £25 to secure your place before the event. This will include all wreath making materials, guidance on making your wreath and refreshments. For ticket enquiries, please email thefivestokesfundraisinggroup@gmail.com or contact Jane on 07909 966367.

More: Could you help with a Christmas collection for Marie Curie? »

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