A warm, sunny day, a bumper crowd, and the appearance of television star Martin Clunes have all contributed to the highest ever total raised by the Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete.
The 27th annual flagship fundraiser has added a stunning £28,211 to the coffers, in a year where the charity is expecting to spend a million pounds more on care than it expects to raise.
An estimated 3,000 visitors took advantage of the warm, sunny weather, and enjoyed attractions such as the Human Fruit Machine – devised by our Weldmar at Home team – entertainment from singers and dancers, animal and reptile visitors from The Ranch, the Lovely Bubbly Show, and lots more.
A new addition to the Fete was the Mystery Box Draw, where prizes included a Cornwall holiday courtesy of Waterside Holiday Group, an Xbox from Phoenix Care Group, and even tickets to the premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux from Cineworld.
Staff from across the charity were involved in the day, such as the Complementary Therapy team offering treatments to visitors, the popular Nurses’ Stall with its games, and the Finance team were ready to count the money as it came in.
Supporter and friend of Weldmar, Martin Clunes, spent time chatting with visitors and posing for selfies, and even brought along his six month old puppy, Murray, for his first public engagement! The Doc Martin star also visited all the patients who were currently staying at the Inpatient Unit, and the nurses who were working whilst the fun was happening outside.
Martin and Nurses at the Weldmar Summer Fete 2024. Photo credit: Weldmar Hospice
Sarah said that the visit from Martin, “made my dad’s day.”
Pamela, on Facebook, called it “one of the best fetes I have ever been to”, whilst Val described it as an “amazing day”.
Fundraising Lead for Recruitment and Engagement, Fiona Hansford, says, “It really was the best Summer Fete. There was such a great atmosphere, the sun was shining, and it was lovely to see so many people flooding through the gates. Thank you to the small army of volunteers who flipped burgers, served cake, ran stalls and games, and helped set up and clear away. Thank you also to First Wessex for providing a free shuttle bus services to and from the hospice grounds throughout the day, and the generous businesses and supporters that donated such wonderful prizes for the Mystery Boxes. We’re so delighted with the total amount raised, which will make such a difference to local people who have a life limiting illness who need our services. The planning for next year’s Summer Fete begins now!”
In a year when Weldmar is expected to spend around a million pounds more on care than it will raise through traditional means, a record total raised by the Summer Fete is a welcome boost.
£28,211 could fund:
- Visits for 24 patients, throughout their duration of their care, from Weldmar Community Nurses
- Or a week of around the clock care at our Inpatient Unit for four patients
- Or five patients to receive hands on care and support at home from Weldmar at Home
- Or bereavement counselling for eighteen local families