200 people swam in the Bristol Channel at Minehead Beach, raising over £6,500 for St Margaret’s Hospice’s 45th birthday.
The event celebrated St Margaret’s Hospice’s 45th birthday. Before rushing into the water, they celebrated and thought about the hospice’s impact. The water temperature was 7C.
The crowd counted down before running into the cold water with shrieks of joy. The sunny weather added to the fun.
They raised over £6,500, and more donations are expected. Mademoiselle Desserts provided cakes and sweets for the swimmers and supporters.
The event manager, Merle Harrison-Croft, expressed her happiness, stating that the day was wonderful with the sun shining and people enjoying themselves.
St Margaret’s Hospice provides care in Somerset for people with life-limiting illnesses. It began with a nurse and fundraising that raised £400 initially. Now, it’s a £15 million operation with 350 staff and 900 volunteers. Hospice sites are located in Yeovil and Taunton, and community teams provide additional support. They care for 5,000 people a year.
The hospice acknowledges the great support from the community, emphasizing that Somerset’s generosity enables them to provide care.
St Margaret’s has a five-year plan called “Time to Care, Now & Always,” leading to their 50th anniversary in 2030. The plan will innovate hospice funding for the future.
The hospice seeks the community’s continued support with the aim of providing caring forever.
St Margaret’s wants people to know that hospice care isn’t just for the end of life. They help people live well longer, aiming to make care more accessible by tailoring it and offering it earlier, so more people in Somerset will benefit.
St Margaret’s received £240,000 from a larger £25 million grant, a great boost for their 45th year. They must spend it by the end of March, and it cannot be used for salaries.
The charity expresses gratitude for the grant and is working on long-term income generation, continuing to connect with Somerset, as the community is their biggest supporter.