St Barnabas Hospice is pleased to report a strong start to 2025, thanks to the kind donations raised over the festive period. 

Together The Warehouse Lock-In event, the annual Light Up A Life appeal, Rudy’s Run initiative for local schools, and recent Tree-Cycle collections have brought in a staggering total of £110,162.

For the third year in a row, the public were invited to start their Christmas shopping early at a lock-in event at St Barnabas Hospice’s flagship store, The Warehouse, in Lincoln on Friday 1^st November 2024.

Local, sustainable shoppers were invited for an exclusive evening of pre-loved shopping, with everything from clothing and books to unique homeware and furniture available.

Over 3,677 items were sold with £8,555 raised on the night, and £20,000 raised over the entire weekend to support St Barnabas.

Caroline Peach, Head of Retail, said: “From everyone at St Barnabas, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along. We’re so thankful for the quality of the donations we receive, which really help make the Lock-In such a success. 

“Through shopping in our charity shops, you can save money, prevent landfill waste, and support local hospice care all at once. We have 24 county-wide charity shops, and you can find your local St Barnabas shop on the website at https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop/.”

The annual Light Up A Life appeal is St Barnabas’ biggest fundraiser in the calendar year. Each Christmas, supporters are invited to dedicate lights in memory of loved ones on the 30ft Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral.

The Tree of Life is illuminated during the annual Torchlight Procession, and supporters are encouraged to write personalised Messages of Love and tie them to the railings, sending a special message to loved ones no longer here.

On Tuesday 19^th November 2024, over 1,500 people walked in the Torchlight Procession in memory of loved ones. Thanks to ticket purchases, online dedications, and sponsorship from Homelet, the Light Up A Life campaign has raised £46,243.

Ellie Carter, Legacy and In Memory Manager, said: “The Torchlight Procession is such a special and well-loved event. It means a lot to the people of Lincolnshire, and us at St Barnabas, to have such a unique and beautiful way to remember loved ones.

“Every donation for a light has paid for more people to receive specialist end-of-life care and more families to receive bereavement support during the most difficult times.”

Creating unforgettable memories for children, whilst supporting St Barnabas, 54 schools and community groups took part in Rudy’s Run throughout December 2024.

This fun, festive fundraiser encourages children of primary school age to run, walk, dance or prance to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice. 

Over 8,000 children took part and over £15,000 was raised for St Barnabas, thanks to the fundraising efforts of these young supporters, encouraging adults and fantastic teachers.

Fiona Malloch-Rear, Community Fundraiser and Project Lead for Rudy’s Run, said: “We had 18 new places join us for Rudy’s Run this year, which was fantastic. We want to thank every child and grown-up who took part and donated money.

“We were also pleased to provide new resources this year, which aimed to help teach pupils more about the importance of care in the community and the work we do.”

Last week, a team of wonderful volunteers were travelling across the county to collect Christmas trees as part of the Hospice’s Tree-Cycle fundraising initiative.

Trees have been recycled using local wood chipping companies, with potted trees replanted locally. Chippings produced can now be used for biomass boilers, bedding for farmyard animals, for use in agricultural fertilisers, or they can be turned into mulch for gardens.

For a suggested donation of £19.93 for each tree, St Barnabas have collected and recycled 1,230 Christmas trees, raising £28,919 for the Hospice.

Ness Wilson, Fundraising Team Lead, said: “Tree-Cycle really is a community effort, we wouldn’t be able to run this fundraising initiative without the vital support from local businesses, groups, and individuals who provide us with their services. Thank you to everyone who recycled their Christmas tree with us or volunteered their time in support of this campaign.”

The money raised through these initiatives helps the Hospice provide free, compassionate, dignified palliative and end-of-life care to over 12,000 adults each year, as well as wellbeing services such as bereavement support, counselling, and welfare and benefits advice.

Caroline Swindin, Head of Fundraising and Lottery at St Barnabas, explains: “Without all this support, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

“St Barnabas needs to fundraise over £7 million each year to cover the cost of providing vital hospice care. As we continue to navigate the ongoing hospice funding and budget challenges, each pound really does make a difference and is greatly appreciated.”

To find out more about upcoming campaigns and ways to get involved or to donate, you can visit the St Barnabas Hospice website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/