News
Hundreds roll up for circus Fair
31/7/10
Crowds of hundreds were entertained in Darlington Marketplace on Saturday by St Teresa's Hospice's Saturday Fair.
This year's Saturday Fair had a circus theme, with entertainment from the award winning Darlington Gymnastic Club, a paintball shootout, a climbing wall, a funhouse, and many booths and stalls.
The home-made cake stall, one of the annual event's biggest fundraisers, was again hugely successful, completely selling out and keeping families entertained with a 'create a clown' gingerbread man decorating area.
A new addition to the day, Iain Jae, also proved to be a big hit, drawing in spectators for his escapology act and baffling fairgoers with his close up sleight of hand tricks.
A raffle was held with the top prize of an iPod Nano donated by Comet, as well as go-karting for four donated by Teesside Karting, and a three month membership to Blackwell Grange Fitness Club donated by Blackwell Grange Hotel.
The Saturday Fair is an important date in St Teresa's Hospice's fundraising calendar, as well as raising an estimated £4,000 it is an opportunity to spread the word about the hospice's work.
St Teresa's Hospice provides free care and services to anyone affected by life-limiting illness across South-Durham and North-Yorkshire and must raise around £1.5million annually to offer these services.
Jane Bradshaw, hospice director, said: "With this year's Saturday Fair we wanted to bring the circus to Darlington, and that's something I think we did very successfully.
"I hope everyone who came down today had as much fun as we did. That we can provide a fun family day out and raise money to continue our work is a wonderful thing."
St Teresa's Hospice is already making plans for next year's Saturday Fair, which will have a pirate theme.
Home-baked cakes at Saturday Fair
31/7/10
Visitors to a circus themed Fair in Darlington Marketplace (Saturday July 31) will be treated to a selection of home-baked cakes.
All the cakes and treats for sale at the St Teresa's Hospice Saturday Fair are home baked and donated by staff, volunteers, and supporters, which means that all money made goes directly to the charity.
In the past the cake stall has been one of the event's biggest fundraisers, a success expected to be repeated today.
A new addition to this year's cake stall is a 'create a clown' area, where people can decorate their own gingerbread men with icing and other treats.
The gingerbread men and decorations have been supplied completely free of charge by Morrisons through their supplier The Pastry Case.
Julie Rowley, Store Personnel Manager at Morrisons, said: "All the staff at Morrisons are really enjoying supporting the hospice, it's something near to a lot of people's hearts."
Three Morrisons stores, Darlington, Morton Park, and Barnard Castle, have adopted St Teresa's Hospice as their official charity thanks to a national scheme which has paired each Morrisons store with their local Hospice.
As well as the popular cake stall St Teresa's Hospice Saturday Fair offers attractions including a display by the award winning Darlington Gymnastics Club, funhouse and funfair rides, a paintball shootout, a climbing wall, and a variety of booths, games, and stalls.
Among the booths will be entertainer Iain Jae, who will be performing impressive displays of sleight of hand magic and 'Real Hustle' style rigged games, as well as performing an escapology act.
St Teresa's Hospice has engaged with businesses in the town to help to create the carnival atmosphere, and have provided them with balloons and posters for display on the run up to the event.
Jane Bradshaw, Hospice Director, said: "The cakes for this year's Fair look fantastic, I'm sure they taste as good as they look but I've so far resisted sampling them all.
"We've really gone all out this year to create a wonderful atmosphere at our Saturday Fair and I'm sure everyone will have a great day out."
St T's Saturday Fair takes place in Darlington Market Place today (Saturday July 31) from 10:30am until 2:30pm, entrance is free, and all money raised will go St Teresa's Hospice.
A fundraising knockout
25/7/10
Over 150 people took part in a charity 'It's a Knockout' event at the weekend, raising an estimated £7,000 for St Teresa's Hospice.
Hosted free of charge at Blackwell Meadows, home of Darlington Rugby Club, the event saw competitors take part in eight different games based on the classic 1970s TV show.
The games involve so much water that they must be filled by the Fire Service before the event starts, but teams dried out quickly with warm-up dances to the Blues Brothers and warm weather.
Last year's champions, Firthmoor Fisheries team the Codfathers, successfully defended their title against a total of twenty teams for their second consecutive win.
Steven Place, a member of the Morrison's North Road team, won the mascot competition after completing the day's events dressed as a French maid, earning a prize of a go-karting trip for everyone on his team provided by Teesside Karting.
The principle sponsor of the event was Darlington Operatic Society, who also sponsored a game and entered two teams.
Games were also sponsored by Sherwoods and AMEC, and there were banners sponsored by Sherwoods, Blackburn Marshall, and Hall Construction.
As well as raising vital funds for the charity St Teresa's Hospice are also using the Knockout to launch a social networking presence, and will upload photographs and video of the event to Facebook and YouTube.
Jane Bradshaw, Hospice Director, said: "The Knockout is always entertaining to watch and this year was no exception. I'd like to thank everyone who sponsored the event, and of course all the teams who took part, it is thanks to you that the Knockout is both good fun and a valuable fundraiser."
More photos and a video of the event can be found on the St Teresa's Hospice Facebook page.
Drawing a close to St Teresa's Hospice's run of summer events is their annual Saturday Fair, a circus themed event which will be held in Darlington Marketplace on July 31, 10:30am-2:30pm.
Charity buskers return after twenty-four years
22/7/10
Two musical siblings who twenty-four years ago helped raise money to get St Teresa's Hospice off the ground have returned for the re-opening of one of the charity's shops.
In 1986 Anne Gardner and Phillip Rowe, then teenagers, raised around £70 for the then recently formed Darlington and District Hospice Movement by busking in Darlington
Now living in Maryland USA with her three children, Anne and husband Jon took time out of their family visit to recreate that moment with Phillip, drawing crowds outside the recently refurbished shop on Skinnergate in Darlington.
Mr Rowe said: "It has been a long time since we've done this, it's incredible and astonishing how much the hospice has grown since then."
Anne and Phillip's involvement with St Teresa's Hospice began when their mother, Yvonne Rowe, wrote a letter to the Northern Echo, sparking the founding of Darlington & District Hospice Movement.
The response to Mrs Rowe's letter was overwhelming and led to a public meeting in to discuss starting a hospice movement in the town.
Soon after the meeting a Home Care service began and people across the town started fundraising.
Twenty four years on Mrs Yvonne Rowe continues her support for the hospice, including making items and selling them on craft stalls to raise funds.
Jane Bradshaw, Hospice director, said: "Having Anne and Phillip busk for us again after all this time was really something special, and a humbling reminder of how much the Hospice has grown.
"The original home care service, now called Hospice at Home, is still going strong, and to that we have added Day Care facilities, a six bed in-patient unit, a counselling team, and a range of complimentary therapies."
The refurbishment of St Teresa's Skinnergate shop is part of a larger scheme of improvements to the charity's retail outlets, which has already seen the opening of new specialist Home Shops in Darlington and Richmond.
Improvements to St T's Charity Shop include the opening of the upstairs area as a specialist book shop, more browsing space to help customers, and an information area about the Hospice, its work, and opportunities to support.
The newly refurbished shop can be found at number 8 Skinnergate.
Roll up roll up for annual Saturday Fair
16/7/10
Our popular Saturday Fair in Darlington market place returns at the end of this month, with a brand new theme and exciting new displays.
Old favourites such as our incredibly popular cake stall will of course be present, with additions such as a 'create a clown' area where visitors can get messy decorating their own gingerbread men.
New attractions and displays for this year's Fair include the multi-talented Iain Jay, who will be performing feats of escapology and close up sleight of hand tricks.
The Darlington Gymnastics Club will be performing their incredible acrobatics in our special performance area, and visitors will be able to test out their own agility on our climbing wall.
Other attractions adding to the carnival atmosphere include a paintball shootout, a funhouse and funfair rides, and a variety of interesting games and stalls to spend the day wandering amongst.
St T's Saturday Fair takes place in Darlington marketplace on Saturday July 31st from 10.30am until 2:30pm.
Skinnergate shop to re-open after refurbishment
15/7/10
Just weeks after the opening of a brand new shop in Richmond we are proud to announce the re-opening of our Skinnergate shop after a complete refurbishment.
As part of an ongoing programme of modernisation the Skinnergate is the first of our eight charity shops to receive a revamp.
Competition in the charity retail sector is tough, but with these improvements we will bring our existing shops up to the standard of our hugely successful St T's Home Shops.
While our two new shops (St T's home Shop Darlington and St T's home Shop Richmond) focus on larger items and home furnishings our existing shops will receive a stylish makeover while continuing to sell high quality second hand clothing and a variety of wonderful smaller items.
Our Skinnergate shop will re-open on Thursday 22nd July.
We are always on the lookout for donations of items for our shops, if you have something you would like to donate please contact us on 01325 254 321.
New Hospice shop opens in Richmond
5/7/10
Hot on the heels of one innovative retailing success a north-east hospice has opened yet another stylish fundraising outlet.
St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington scored a major coup when it launched its St T's Home Shop in the town's Skinnergate last December, a success it hopes to repeat with the new shop in Richmond.
Guests visiting on opening day were treated to glasses of Champagne and music played by Rotary Club young musician of the year Harriet Bradshaw on a donated clavier.
Created in a former wine merchants the new premises boasts vaulted ceilings and sleek sales sections all housed in a superb location just a stone's throw from the town's famous Georgian Theatre.
This is our eighth shop to open and is set to live up to the high expectations set by the success of St T's Home shop in Darlington.
Jane Bradshaw, hospice director, said: "We are competing in a tough market place and we know our shops have to bring a new dimension to charity retailing, something we are confident our Richmond outlet will do."
The new shop, on Victoria Road, is entirely stocked with donated goods, from a quirky period rocking horse and retro lighting to elegant bureaus and dining tables, but it is their presentation and prices which set the shop apart.
Mrs Bradshaw added: "Opening a Home Shop means we can provide good quality furnishings at a fraction of the price of new items and do our part to be environmentally friendly. But most importantly of all it means we can raise the vitally needed funds for our hospice service."
Marjorie McIntyre, retail manager for the hospice's chain of shops, said: "St T's Home shop is yet another exciting venture for us and one we know will bring charity chic to Richmond."
Well travelled teddies prepare for trip across Europe
30/6/10
Following the success of their Teddies to the Arctic campaign two adventurous fundraisers are making final preparations for their latest expedition.
Heather and Geoff Thompson raised £35,500 for charity in 2008 by taking 135 teddies, sponsored at a minimum of £100 each, on a trip 700 miles into the Arctic Circle.
This year's journey will see the teddies travelling through ten European countries, including a picnic in the grounds of a 17th century hunting lodge in the Czech Republic, to raise money for St Teresa's hospice and the Darlington branch of the MS Society.
Sponsorship for the individual teddies has been raised in a variety of ways, including a performance by Mike Mason, a student of Chetham's School of Music.
Dinsdale Spa Golf Club Ladies Section donates hundreds
14/6/10
Members of the Dinsdale Spa Golf Club Ladies Section have donated a total of £740 to charity after holding a raffle and golfing clinic.
The raffle was held at a centenary dinner at the golf club, which saw Vivien Saunders O.B.E. give a talk on the 'golfing mind'.
Miss Saunders, description, held a golf clinic the following day and asked that money raised be given to charity.
Members of the Ladies section decided on two charities, St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Pedalling for pounds
11/6/10
A team of 11 cyclists from the 3M site at Aycliffe piled on the pounds in a marathon ride to raise funds for St Teresa's Hospice.
The team pedalled 130 miles from Bamburgh Castle on the Northumbrian coastline back to the Heighington Lane site, where the diversified technology company makes personal respirators.
The two-day ride was held in memory of their colleague Lesley Naisbitt, who died in 2008, to show appreciation for the care and support provided by the Darlington hospice to Lesley and her family.
A cheque for £3,352 has now been presented to the hospice, raised through sponsorship and support from the 3M Care & Share matchfunding scheme.
"The hospice provides a tremendous service for the community and we were very pleased to have been able to raise so much as our way of saying thank-you," said 3M's Paul Richardson, one of the organisers of the marathon ride.
Jane Bradshaw, St Teresa's Hospice Director, said: "Lesley was much-loved by everyone who met her, the continued fundraising in her name by Paul and the team is a testament to that and we are proud to have been able to help."
IMPROVEMENTS TO HOSPICE SHOPS UNDERWAY
7/6/10
Preparations are under way for the opening of a new shop in Richmond, as well as the re-opening of the newly refurbished Skinnergate shop.
As part of an ongoing scheme of improvements to our retail outlets the Skinnergate shop in Darlington was chosen as the first to be completely refurbished.
Following a short closure the shop is due to re-open in a few weeks time, after receiving complete redecoration and new fittings.
Part of this work is to allow the use of the upstairs area of the shop, which has been freed up thanks to a centralised sorting and distribution system.
Similar work has been taking place in our new Richmond premises, which will be in the same style as the hugely successful St T's Home Shop in Darlington.
After opening last December St T's Home Shop has exceeded our wildest expectations, taking in tens of thousands of pounds thanks to the generosity of people in the area donating their unwanted furniture, an achievement we hope to replicate in Richmond.
To help boost the money made in our shops we are introducing a system to allow us to claim Gift Aid on donated items.
People making donations to the shops will be asked to fill in a declaration, allowing us to claim around 28% of the value of the item from the government when it is sold.
PREMIERSHIP TROPHY VISITS DARLINGTON
1/6/10
Visitors to the High Row Darlington branch of Barclays last Tuesday were in for a treat when they were greeted by the premiership trophy and former Middlesbrough and Manchester United player Gary Pallister.
The trophy was on display all day, and in exchange for a small donation to the hospice people were invited to have their photo taken alongside Gary and the world famous trophy.
The professional photographs were printed while people waited, and signed by Gary.
Thanks to the support of Barclays and Gary Pallister football fans have helped raise hundreds of pounds for St Teresa's Hospice.
THREE MORRISONS STORES ADOPT ST TERESA'S HOSPICE
19/5/10
National supermarket chain supports local hospices
A national supermarket chain has put their support behind a charity which raises money to support the work of hospices, with each branch raising money for their local hospice.
Through the partnership with Help the Hospices each of the 425 Morrisons stores across the country has been paired with a hospice in their area to raise money that will go directly to fund hospice services in their local community.
The Darlington, Morton Park, and Barnard Castle branches will fundraise for St Teresa's Hospice, which provides hospice care across South-Durham and North-Yorkshire.
Jane Bradshaw, St Teresa's Hospice Director, said: "We are delighted that Morrisons have decided to support the hospice movement, and are doing so in a way that recognises that each hospice serves their local area."
Morrisons have set a combined fundraising target of £1million over the duration of the ten month partnership.
Progress towards that goal was made immediately, with every Morrisons store across the country putting the first £1 coin into a collection bucket at 10am yesterday (Wednesday).
To continue this bright start Morrisons stores across the UK will be 'Going Yellow' through a range of fun and exciting yellow themed fundraising activities for colleagues and customers.
Lawrence Mudd, manager of Darlington Morrisons, said: "We've got it spot on this year, a lot of people are pleased with us supporting a local charity."
TEES VALLEY YMCA HELP RAISE FUNDS
18/5/10
Two days of fundraising activities has seen the Youth Action Team of the Tees valley YMCA raise over £400.
Volunteers from the team spent a day packing bags in Marks and Spencer, and the following day sent a team of volunteers to help with St Teresa's Hospice's annual Flag Day.
From their efforts in Marks and Spencer the team raised £427, and their help on Flag Day contributed to a total of £2,090 being raised.
Tees Valley YMCA volunteer Thomas Brown said: "I love to volunteer because I get to learn new skills while having fun and doing something good for the community."
QUAKER RUNNERS EXCEL FOR HOSPICE
7/5/10
Two Quaker Running Club members have together raised around £3,000 for charity by running the London Marathon.
Michelle Boshier, a member of the Quaker Running Club, volunteers at St Teresa's hospice every Friday, and was running in memory of her uncle Stephen Curry, who was cared for at St Teresa's in 2008.
Miss Boshier said: "The atmosphere was amazing, having tens of thousands of people to run with and cheer you on makes the run a lot easier
"It was quite difficult training over the winter with all the snow and ice, but I prefer it to be cooler, my first marathon was in Edinburgh last year in 30 degree heat."
Michelle, who completed the 26 mile run in four hours and fifty-two minutes, has been volunteering at St Teresa's Hospice for a year and half in the Hospice's in patient unit, which offers end of life and respite care.
Joining Michelle in raising money for St Teresa's Hospice was fellow Quaker Running Club member and marathon veteran Peter Rowley, who finished the run in 4 hours 1 minute.
Mr Rowley said: "I would have liked to beat the four hour mark, and towards the end I knew it would be close."
The pair estimates they will have raised almost £3,000 between them, with Peter splitting his sponsorship between the hospice and MIND, and Michelle splitting hers with The National Autistic Society.
Peter and Michelle are still accepting sponsorship at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PeterRowley and
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/michelleboshier
ARMY VOLUNTEERS HELP HOSPICE
29/4/10
A team of young soldiers who will soon be deployed in Afghanistan gave up a precious day of their time at home to lend a helping hand at a North-East hospice.
The 17-strong group, all soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, travelled to the Darlington warehouse site of St Teresa's Hospice.
At the Lingfield Point premises they turned their hands to dozens of tasks from sorting donated clothing, building shelving units and helping restore items ready for sale in the Hospice shops.
Leading the working party Captain Adrian Havelock said: "Training is not just about preparing boys for Afghanistan but about developing the recruits into men who understand the importance of respecting others and displaying loyalty to their communities, family and friends and so understand what they are fighting for.''
He added: "We are delighted to help St Teresa's Hospice and the wider community in Darlington who give us so much support in everything we do.
"The soldiers have really enjoyed giving something back to the community.''
After the soldiers had carried out a host of tasks Hospice Director Jane Bradshaw said: "We are always delighted to work in partnership with the Army. Personnel from Catterick Garrison have and continue to assist us in many practical ways as well as through fundraising.
"This latest help is much appreciated and much needed as our shop operations are continuing to expand which means our warehouse at Lingfield Point needs to be well organised to ensure we realise as much as possible from the generous donations from local residents.''
FIRST EVER MIDNIGHT WALK AT CROFT CIRCUIT A SUCCESS
26/4/10
Over 200 women took part in a Midnight Walk held at the weekend, which is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for St Teresa's hospice.
The Midnight Walk was held at the new venue of Croft Circuit, making it the first ever event of its kind to be held at the world famous racing track.
Organisers estimate the hundreds of women taking part in the walk have already raised tens of thousands of pounds, with sponsorship still being accepted by many walkers.
Doing the walk in memory of Melanie Bimbi was a team of ten, including Marjorie McIntyre and daughter Charlotte, who was completing the walk in a wheelchair in spite of a broken leg.
Mrs McIntyre said: "We all had a brilliant evening, and it turned out Charlotte didn't need the wheelchair at all, she abandoned it right at the start and did the walk on her crutches."
After a warm-up on the circuit the walk was officially started by Jane Bradshaw, St Teresa's hospice Director Alasdair MacConachie, Managing Director of Sherwoods and Chairman of St Teresa's Hospice, and Nick Millen, Catterick Garrison Commander.
Women had the option of completing one or two laps of Croft circuit, which was marshalled by a group of volunteers from Catterick Garrison, Darlington Rotary Club, and hospice staff and volunteers.
As a thank you to these volunteers a free draw was held with the prize of tickets to the British Touring Cars provided by Croft Circuit.
All money raised through the event goes towards the annual running costs of St Teresa's Hospice, which provides care and services to people across south Durham and North Yorkshire who are affected by life limiting illness.
Costs for the event are kept low thanks to the support of various businesses and organisations, including Croft Circuit, who provided the venue and use of facilities completely free of charge.
Jane Bradshaw, St Teresa's Hospice Director, said: "My thanks go out to all the businesses and organisations that help make the Midnight Walk such a successful event.
"Most importantly of course are the hundreds of women who came out at midnight to support our work. Their willingness to do so is a reminder of what an important service all hospices offer."
HOSPICE'S LOTTERY REACHES MILESTONE
15/4/10
A charity lottery is making a push for new members after reaching the milestone of £4million raised for hospices across the region.
The One Wish Lottery supports the work of St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington, St Cuthberts in Durham, Butterwick in Bishop Auckland, and St Benedicst's in Sunderland, with each having received £1million since the lottery began in 1998.
As well as this support given to hospices the lottery has given out over £1.5million in prizes, with the latest big winner receiving £5,000 in December.
The lottery costs £1 per week to play and draws for a £1,000 first prize are held every week, with larger prize draws such as the one in December happening several times a year.
If you would like to take part in the One Wish Lottery contact Joan or Gary on 01325 288 484, or pick up a leaflet from one of the St Teresa's Hospice charity shops.
A BLOOMING GOOD FESTIVAL
12/4/10
Organisers are putting the finishing touches to plans for a four day flower festival in Darlington.
Money raised from the event, organised and hosted by All Saints' and Salutation Church in Blackwell, will be split between the church and St Teresa's Hospice.
The event begins on Thursday 28th April with a preview evening for organisers and sponsors, at which the flower festival will be officially opened by St Teresa's Hospice Chairman Alasdair MacConachie and Hospice Director Jane Bradshaw.
The flower festival will be open to the public starting the following day from 10am until 4pm, where visitors will be able to enjoy twenty-six arrangements as well as performances by talented local musicians.
From 7:30pm that evening there will be a concert by the Apollo Male Voice, an awarding wining choir group which has performed across the world.
The event will be open to the public from Friday 30thth April 10am-4pm, Saturday 1st May 10am-8pm, Sunday 2nd May 1pm-4:30pm, and Monday 3rd May 10am-4pm.
Entrance to the flower festival is £3 on the door, with accompanied children free, tickets for the Apollo Male Voice Choir concert are £7.50 and are available in advance by calling The All Saints Parish Office on 01325 469 891.
EASTER EGG TOMBOLA BEGINS
22/3/10
A Darlington charity's annual Easter Egg Tombola is off to a good start, using up a full day's supply of eggs before lunchtime.
St Teresa's Hospice holds the tombola every year in Queen Street shopping centre, Darlington, and plans for around 100 eggs to be used a day.
A brisk morning trade however saw all of Monday's eggs used up before midday, meaning the charity had to start using the next day's supply.
Jane Bradshaw, hospice Director, said: "Last year's tombola raised over £3,000 towards our running costs, and going by the success of our first day we're on track to beat that total this year."
The tombola runs six days a week for two weeks, meaning over 1,000 Easter eggs are needed for the duration of the event, the bulk of which are donated by individuals or businesses.
St Teresa's hospice Easter Egg Tombola runs Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm until Saturday April 3rd.
Donations of Easter eggs are still being accepted, if you would like to donate an Easter egg please contact the fundraising office on 01325 254 321.
REVVING UP FOR THE MIDNIGHT WALK
18/3/10
A Darlington charity has announced a change in venue for its popular Midnight Walk, which will this year take place at Croft Circuit.
In previous years St Teresa's Hospice has held their women only Midnight Walk in South Park, Darlington, but has changed the venue to Croft Circuit so they can accommodate more walkers and offer them something unique.
Jane Bradshaw, hospice director, said: "Croft Circuit has been a huge supporter of ours for the past few years and we jumped at the chance to hold the Midnight Walk there.
"The Midnight Walk will be the first event of its kind held at Croft Circuit, and we are hoping that the unusual venue will add even more to what is already an amazing event."
Last year's event saw over 300 women take part and together raise sponsorship of £31,752.96 to go towards St Teresa's Hospice's annual running costs, which last year reached £2million.
Organisers hope up to 500 women will take part in this year's walk, with teams of people from businesses and organisations as well as individuals entering in memory of loved ones.
The St Teresa's Hospice Midnight Walk takes place on Friday 23rd of April, and walkers have the option of walking one or two laps around Croft Circuit.
Entry forms are available by visiting the St Teresa's hospice website at www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk and clicking the Midnight Walk logo, or by calling the hospice on 01325 254 321.
FROM COAST TO COAST TO CAKES AND CASTLES
17/3/10
A group of fundraising cyclists are planning an ambitious 200 mile journey to raise money for a Darlington charity, a year after raising thousands with a coast to coast cycle.
This week the group presented St Teresa's Hospice with a cheque for the £10,254.47 raised by last year's cycle from Whitehaven to Sunderland, and spoke of their new plans.
The ride will see the team cover 210 miles between Edinburgh and Newcastle, passing landmarks such as Warkworth and Bamburgh Castles.
The route is called the 'coast and castles' route, but the team decided to rename it the coast cakes and castes ride after their stops to fuel up on cake on their last trip.
The rides are organised in memory of Chris Barber, a well respected police firearms expert who died of pancreatic cancer last year.
Chris's colleagues will be joined on the ride by Chris's wife Ann and his sister Lyn, as well as St Teresa's Hospice Fundraiser Scott Marshall.
As well as the coast to coast cycle ride the group last year organised a garden party and raffle, bringing.
FAMILY ROOM AND LAPTOP DONATIONS
7/3/2010
A visiting Hospitaller of The Saint Lazarus Hospice Association has presented a Darlington charity with thousands of pounds, as well as two laptops.
The money, totalling £2,742, is to be used for refurbishment of St Teresa's Hospice's family room, a room for the family and friends of in-patients staying at the hospice.
Confrére Michael Seed OLJ went out of his way to also arrange two laptops for the in-patients of St Teresa's Hospice. These were donated by Prof Stephen Mather and Dr Delphine Lees of the Institute of Cancer, Bart's & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Jane Bradshaw, Hospice Director, said: "The family room is an important place, it gives visiting family a place to talk to their loved ones or offers somewhere quiet for them to gather their thoughts.
"Thanks to the efforts of Michael we now have the money to make the family room a more comfortable place in which to do these things. That Michael also went out of his way to provide two laptops is incredibly generous."
The Saint Lazarus Hospice Association is a charity dedicated to providing funds for equipment and training to hospices throughout the UK.
Confrére Michael said: "I am humbled by the extra-ordinary work that is carried out at St Teresa's Hospice. The Hospitaller Department thought the application conceived by Ann Barber in memory of her husband Chris had special merit due to the great lengths St Teresa's has made to provide an area of rest and respite that will benefit both families and in-patients. We felt privileged to help."
The charity receives funds through the efforts of the members and friends of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem (www.saintlazarus.co.uk) and its Commandery network. The Charity has no administrative overheads, as these are covered by Order.
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