SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Yarlington backs St Margaret’s Hospice

THE Somerset-based charity St Margaret’s Hospice has received a large donation from a local housing provider after it was nominated by staff as their Charity of the Year for 2015.

A year of fundraising commenced and since January 2015, staff and residents of Yarlington Housing Group have been holding bake-offs, taking in part in fun runs and marathons, dressing down, clearing out and diving into the office snack box which has resulted in an impressive £6,270.19 being raised for the hospice.

As well as the regular office fundraising activities, some staff went the extra mile and laced up their trainers to take part in bigger challenges such as the hospice’s’ Colour Run for which staff raised £630. Over 20 employees navigated the 5K course under a shower of powder paint finishing with a spectacular ‘colour-throw’ at the end.

Jess Martin, Yarlington’s trainee surveyor who took part, said: “It was fabulous to run with my colleagues for St Margaret’s. Instead of sadness, there was happiness emanating from all the runners and a magical atmosphere on the day.

PHOTO – TOP: Pictured (from left) are Yarlington’s property management managing director Richie Horton, R, Jess Martin Yarlington’s trainee surveyor Jess Martin, St Margaret’s Hospice’s community fundraiser Mark Flower and Yarlington gas technician Ben Hardwill.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Top Yarlington fundraiser Richie Horton.

Top Yarlington fundraiser was Richie Horton, managing director of Yarlington Property Management, who raised a remarkable £2,584.38 of the total by running the London Marathon.

He said: “Running the marathon was a personal achievement but also provided me with the opportunity to raise funds for a cause close to my heart. Many of my colleagues have had relatives use the facilities, and all have commented that the services and treatment at the hospice made the inevitable more bearable, seeing their loved one so well looked after.”

Mark Flower, community fundraiser at St Margaret’s Hospice, added: “We are very grateful to the Yarlington staff and their residents for their generous donation - it really does make a huge difference.

“One in three people in Somerset will need our support in their lifetime, last year we cared for over 3,200 people and we expect this number to rise significantly in the future which will only increase costs.

“Currently we require £10.5million annually to operate and with only a £2.5million contribution from the NHS we are and will continue to be, reliant on the good will and fundraising efforts from the public. We are so grateful to Yarlington and all those who have donated to St Margaret’s who continue to help us make each day count.”

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