chamber
CHARITY NEWS
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit EACH at Milton Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) at Milton on Thursday 23 June 2022. The Duchess is Royal Patron of the charity, and this year marks the 10-year anniversary of her patronage. This was The Duchess’s first public visit to the hospice in Milton and it was the first time The Duke had accompanied her to see the work of EACH.
Waves of dragon boat supporters help raise more than £38,000 for local hospice After two years away from the water, a raft of racers and supporters turned out for the much-loved Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, helping to raise an incredible £38,612, for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Forty teams took to the water for the annual boat race at Peterborough Rowing Club, Thorpe Meadows on Saturday 11 June, with Preston’s Physio Green Dream Team scooping top spot in the Mixed Crew Champions and Amazon Griffins taking gold in the Champions finale. There were also prizes for the best dressed crew, won by British Sugar – Sugar Babes & Sugar Lumps - and for the team who managed to tot up the most money for charity, which was awarded to The PCML Paddlers who raised an amazing £4,005 for the hospice and won the special prize of a group escape room experience, courtesy of Escape Peterborough. Nilesh Patel, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “It was fantastic to be back at the festival this year. A big thank you to everyone including those who raised sponsorship for our hospice, our festival sponsor Whirlpool and media partner ESP Magazine for their support and promotion, as well as Escape Peterborough for donating the top fundraisers prize! “It wasn’t just the boat teams and sponsors who were the heroes of the day though, with a sea of Sue Ryder volunteers on hand to support us with everything from shaking buckets to setting up and running our tombola, selling lottery tickets, and not forgetting cheering the teams on to the finish line – thank you! “All monies raised will go towards making sure that our hospice teams can continue to be there when it matters for families going through the most difficult times of their lives. Thank you again and we can’t wait to see you all back on the water next year!”
The Duke and Duchess toured the hospice, which was opened by Diana Princess of Wales on 1 August 1989, and met with children, young people and families who use services through EACH. They were invited to take part in art activities with families, in addition to touring the hospice grounds and meeting long-term staff members and volunteers. EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley said: “We very much enjoyed welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to Milton. It was The Duchess’s first public visit to Milton and the very first time we had the pleasure of welcoming The Duke to one of our hospices so it was a very special, memorable and momentous day for everyone connected with EACH. “The Duchess met our fantastic staff and volunteers at Milton, who work tirelessly with children and their families needing our services. They had the chance to explain the difficulties they have faced in recent years, particularly in light of the pandemic and the isolation they have felt through shielding. “The visit was the perfect opportunity to celebrate 10 years since Her Royal Highness became our Royal Patron. Throughout the decade, The Duchess has been immensely supportive by championing our cause. Her continued support comes with warmth, empathy and understanding, including beyond public view, and her Patronage is enjoyed and appreciated by everyone at EACH. “We are extremely thankful and consider ourselves honoured and very lucky to benefit from her hard work, generosity and support.” Since becoming Royal Patron in 2012, The Duchess of Cambridge has played a vital role in raising awareness and understanding of children’s hospice services across East Anglia and the rest of the UK. From hospice and shop openings to meeting children and families, The Duchess’s profile has projected EACH and the importance of children’s hospice services onto a national and international stage. The visit took place during Children’s Hospice Week, a national week to raise awareness of the vital work of children’s hospices across the country. EACH currently provides care and support for more than 580 children, young people and family members across the region, with 211 currently using services through Milton. To find out more about EACH visit www.each.org.uk.
Ian Moverley, Communications Director from Whirlpool, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the return of the festival this year and help to raise funds for Sue Ryder which is close to the heart of many of our colleagues. It was a fabulous event to be involved with and we look forward to it again next year.” If the Peterborough Dragon Boat Race has inspired to raise money for Sue Ryder visit www.sueryder/events to find out how you can involved. connected 23
