As the new fundraising year gets underway for Sobell House Hospice, their Director of Fundraising, Beth Marsh wants to express her gratitude for all the hard work and dedication supporters of Sobell House have given to the charity over the past 12 months.
“2023 was a wonderful, memorable year for Sobell House and we are so grateful to the Oxfordshire community for all their support through donating and fundraising, taking part in events and visiting our shops. With this support, we are able to provide care to over 4,000 patients and their families every year, both within the Hospice itself, in the local OUH hospitals, and in the comfort of people's own homes. This support also enables us to provide much needed day services to patients receiving palliative care, a companion service for patients needing an extended support network, and a bereavement service for people who have lost a loved one. We have also been able to replace the Hospice chapel roof, so it is wonderful to see patients, staff, families, and volunteers using it again for quiet reflection. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Alongside all these events, appeals and special occasions, throughout the year Sobell House receives generous donations, gifts in wills and hard-earned fundraising from a wide range of activities, for which they are incredibly grateful for every single pound."
So, what have those memorable events been which have helped raised so much money and awareness for this charity?
March 2023, they raised over £100,000 to help fund their Home Hospice Care Service which provides a lifeline for local families as it helps to fulfil hundreds of palliative care patient’s final wish to be out of hospital and back home at the end of their life, surrounded by their family and home comforts.
The annual Winter Walk at Blenheim Palace, held in early March was one to remember. With over 400 walkers (and many dogs), they raised over £9,000 which could fund the Hospice’s catering bill for over three weeks. This helped to ensure that patients have delicious, freshly prepared nourishing food to tempt them when eating becomes more difficult.
The London Marathon held in April ’23 had 11 Hospice heroes taking part and collectively they raised a record-breaking £56,000 for Sobell House. This money could fund all of the Hospice’s service, in the local hospitals and in the community, for two whole days, providing end of life care to around 500 patients throughout Oxfordshire, at any one time. Thanks to the incredible Team Sobell for all their hard work put into training and participating on the day. Eight runners are competing this April, so they have an opportunity to beat last year’s record.
July saw the colourful display of a Rainbow of Ribbons held in the University Parks in Oxford. Over 400 dedicated ribbons were displayed in memory of loved ones raising just over £11,000 for the Hospice.
One of the most creative fundraisers held during 2023 was the ‘My Lovely Postcards’ where over 400 artists submitted their postcard-sized artwork which was then display during May as part of Oxfordshire Art Weeks at an exhibition held at the Cloister Gallery in Oxford. At the end of the exhibition, an online auction selling these original works of art raised over £16,500 for Beth’s Bursary Fund. This Fund helps to enable nurses at the Hospice to further their specialist training and education in palliative care, all helping to continue to improve the outstanding care provided to their patients.
The summer saw the launch of Sobell House’s most ambitious fundraiser yet – the OxTrail which will go on to be THE event for 2024 in Oxfordshire. The charity has the support of over 30 local businesses who have sponsored an ox along with an impressive 85 schools, care homes and youth groups all signing up to fundraise for their own mini ox through the Learning Programme.
In October, 140 runners took part in the Oxford Half Marathon in aid of Sobell House resulting in an amazing day filled with determination, laughter, tears, and blisters! It was worth it however as collectively they raised over £67,000 for the Hospice, which could fund all of their services for 2.5 days, ensuring that over 650 patients at any one time could receive specialist and compassionate care.
As the year moved towards Christmas a number of events were held during December. The annual Christmas Appeal raised nearly £9,000 helping to add extra special touches for patients and their loved ones at this precious time of year. The Sheldonian Theatre was the venue for the moving ‘Lights of Love’ service. This special afternoon gave people the chance to pay tribute to their loved ones who although gone would never be forgotten. In the words of A. A. Milne: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Through ‘Lights of Love’ they raised £28,560, which could fully fund their Hospice ward for 48 hours, ensuring that more local families benefit from care, comfort, and support at a time when they need it most.
The volunteers and people connected with the seven Sobell House Charity Shops and two Warehouse Shops throughout the county work tirelessly to ensure that items which are donated to them bring in the most money for the Hospice. As the Festive Season approached customers were able to take advantage of buying their Christmas gifts instore knowing that the money, they spent would be used to support the Hospice in some way.
Sobell House Hospice also took part in the Charity Super.Mkt shop opened in the Westgate Centre during December which has now been extended into 2024.
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