As the whole of England is plunged into a second national lockdown, Queenscourt is bracing itself for the inevitable drop in its fundraising income and is hoping people will continue to support the Hospice in these unprecedented times.



The Covid-19 pandemic has already had a dramatic impact on the Hospice’s ability to raise much-needed funds as the first lockdown, together with continuing restrictions, forced the cancellation of key fundraising events including our annual Star Trekk night walk, Santa Sprint, collection days at local supermarkets and community supported fundraising events.

In addition, all its shops, which are a valuable source of fundraising, were closed for three months over the summer and have now been forced to close again for at least another month.

So far this year, the Hospice has seen its fundraising income fall by almost two thirds, with a 66% reduction in legacies left in people’s Wills and its fundraising income is also down by 68%, compared to 2019.

Every single member of #teamqueenscourt is doing everything they can to to maintain the hospice’s vital services and continue to support patients and their families, and they once again need your help.

Queenscourt is asking its supporters to consider backing its latest fundraising initiatives to generate essential income for the charity, and while its shops may be closed, the Queenscourt eBay store is packed full of bargains, particularly during the Hospice’s inaugural ‘Nearly New November’ initiative.

The Nearly New November campaign was ready to be promoted across Queenscourt’s five shops, but has had to move online due to the current lockdown. You can check out what is on offer at www.tinyurl.com/queenscourtebay

You can also still purchase Christmas Cards online by going to www.queenscourt.org.uk/christmas

Shopping with other well-known stores can help generate income for Queenscourt as the Hospice has teamed up with easyfundraising, the UK’s biggest charity shopping fundraising site.

easyfundraising can turn your everyday online shopping into free donations for Queenscourt. There are over 4,000 retailers to choose from, including big names such as Argos, John Lewis, Amazon and M&S, and every time you shop online with them, they will make a small donation to Queenscourt to say ‘thank you.’ Visit www.easyfundraising.org.ukand search for Queenscourt to sign up.



Other fundraising initiatives being held in the run up to Christmas include:

The annual Lights of Love Appeal, which launches this month if you would like to dedicate a light on our Virtual tree visit www.queenscourt.org.uk/lights
The Big Give Challenge, the UK’s biggest on-line match-funding campaign running between Tuesday 1st December until Tuesday 8thDecember (Noon) which hopes to raise £11,500 towards new dementia-friendly beds . Please visit queenscourt.org.uk/thebiggive
The fifth annual Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling Service, run in partnership with JustHelping, which last year raised £11,000. Registration opens 15thNovember. We are reliant on a team of volunteers, so if you are able to join us please email Lucy Smith at fundraising@queenscourt.org.uk


Debra Lawson, Queenscourt’s Corporate Services Director said: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has posed enormous challenges to the hospice sector’s ability to generate essential fundraising income. Here at Queenscourt we are incredibly fortunate to have received so much support from within our local communities from individuals, groups, organisations and businesses, who have gone over and above to help Keep Queenscourt in Service.

“We are immensely grateful for all the support and donations we have received so far this year and are hoping it will continue as we enter into this second period of lockdown. In these truly unsettling times, Queenscourt Hospice needs the help of our local communities more than ever before.”

For more information on all the fundraising initiatives and how you can support Queenscourt, please visit www.queenscourt.org.uk/fundraising