We have been reliably informed that the introduction of the Care Capping (October 2023) has now...
Bluebell Wood is a children's hospice in North Anston, Sheffield and with them only receiving 10% of government funding we have worked hard over the last few years to raise money for them in different ways.
We are contributing to Bluebell Wood's Auction of Promises on Thursday 7th November. There will be a buffet and live entertainment at the fun-filled evening with a chance to win mystery prizes! The event is being held at Rotherham United FC at 6:30. Visit their website for more information or click 'Auction of Promises' above.
Here is one of the most recent winners of the chocolate explosion raffle. We've got some serious chocolate envy.
We've taken part in their Christmas Jumper Day and had lots of fun getting in the festive spirit!
Here is our stall from their 9th Birthday Bash in 2017. We had a game for the children to win prizes and a raffle for the adults to win some bubbly!
Our main aim, alongside raising money (and having fun!) was to promote the Make a Will Months we do in order to raise upfront funds for the hospice and secure future funds for them through Will bequests. Please read on to find out more about the Will campaigns.
Here is Alex Gibbons, our Paralegal and Estate Planner, being presented with his award for being recognised for outstanding achievement in the local community. In November 2017 Alex was appointed as an Ambassador for Bluebell Wood and they nominated him for the award which left him over the moon. As of September 2019 Alex stepped down from his role as an Ambassador, but both he and the firm will continue to support Bluebell Wood
In 2016 he had the opportunity to visit the hospice for the first time. Below are his thoughts from his visit.
"Even though I have lived in the area for nearly 30 years and have been involved in charitable fund raising activities in that time for many local charities, including Bluebell Wood, I have never taken the time out to see for myself where the money was going to, or for what it was going to be used. On approaching the Hospice down a long driveway, flanked by green fields and neatly kept hedgerows, the building slowly came into sight. Oh and what a building! The closer I got the more children and family friendly facilities came into view. Playgrounds, seating areas, water features and outdoor living facilities…I thought it was a hotel."
"I was shown round by Julie Booth the BBW’s Trust, Legacy and In Memory Fundraiser. The tour took me through a very impressive infrastructure with a music therapy room, a private cinema, a fully functional restaurant and various other facilities to provide children suffering from the many conditions, and for some who are terminally ill, a comfortable, welcoming and happy setting. I was further impressed with the scope of facilities on offer for the end of life patients. They have suites of rooms so the whole family can stay in what is as close to a home look environment, with self contained kitchens, lounges with TV’s and bedrooms for the family to stay over in. The children can have their pals in to have sleep overs, cinema sessions with popcorn and refreshments to try and keep as normal a life as possible for what could be the last period of their little lives."
"If it wasn’t enough for a rhino skinned individual like me to endure, the gardens are designed to be user friendly to all levels of the individual mobility and capabilities of all the patients. The piece de resistance was the Creek Bed, designed by Alan Titchmarsh, a secluded place where children whose lives have been cruelly cut short, are remembered. Each child has their name etched onto a rock/stone and the family place it in the creek bed in their memory. There are then facilities in the creek bed area for the family to return to pay their respects as and when they like, and maybe have a picnic or BBQ to celebrate their loved one’s lost life. Well that was it for me…I was hooked and I pledged to do what I can to raise money for the hospice."
They need more than £4 million Pounds a year to run effectively as all the services are completely FREE to the patients and their families. They receive less than 10% funding from the Government, whereas adult cancer Hospices get around 40%.
We all give at the door to the many worthy charities, but you can do a little more by leaving a bequest to the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in your Will.
A few hundred pounds left by many people in their Wills, soon mounts up, so we ask you not only to make the donation of £95 for a single Will or £150 for double Wills at the time of preparation but also have a kind heart in your Will for when you pass. All the donation goes to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
If you are thinking of leaving a bequest, I would urge you to contact Julie Booth on 01909 508119 or email julie.booth@bluebellwood.organd she will be more than happy to show you around their lovely facility. I promise, it’s not a sad place, they are wonderfully friendly people there.
