Hospice boosted by St George's festival

Bob Gallagher of Lytham St George's Festival committee presents a cheque for Â£20,000 to Trinity Hospice representatives (from left) Linzi Young, head of fundraising; Michelle Lonican, community fundraiser and volunteers Marie Mallinson and Helen Lomax

A cheque for £20,000 was presented by Festival committee member Bob Gallagher to officials of the Bispham-based Hospice, which provides compassionate end of life care for Fylde as well as Blackpool and Wyre.

The money is part of the record £82,000 raised at this year’s event.

A similar amount has already been presented to the Love Lowther campaign to refurbish Lytham’s theatre, while the majority of the money raised at the event traditionally goes to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

Festival organisers have already announced plans to make the event bigger and better next year, with the hope that the cash generated might reach £100,000. Trinity, Lowther and ABF will again be the recipients.

Trinity’s community fund-raiser Michelle Lonican said: “The St George’s Day Festival is a valued partnership for us, not just in terms of financial support, but also as a very effective way of raising our  profile in Lytham and  beyond.

“As ever, our volunteers did us proud supporting a number of the events and this generous donation will contribute to patient care not only at the hospice, but also through our nursing teams across the Fylde Coast community.

“A huge thank you to the festival organisers and everyone who made a donation during what was a vibrant community event – their generosity is very much appreciated.”