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Danny is a Surveyor with NC Construction who are an amazing corporate supporter of ours – and he’s been inspired by the work that we do to run in the London Marathon for us! It was only in January he took part in a three mile assault course for us - we’ve definitely made an impression on Danny! “One Friday we were talking about what event everyone could do to raise money for Saint Francis Hospice and I said, put me down for the London Marathon,” To Danny’s surprise he received a Gold Bond place from us and has been training mode ever since! Along with his team, he's been to the hospice a few times, once to donate hampers to the Fundraising team at Christmas where he spent some time with the teams and learnt more about what we do. Click here to read the full story and for the link to Danny’s fundraising page: https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/surveyor-trades-tools

Huge thanks to Steven Granditer, whose generous £1,000 donation has enabled us to buy Dignity Bags – used to store belongings of patients following their death and given to their family members. Lorraine Roadnight, Individual Giving Manager, said, “We are so grateful for his generous donation to enable us to purchase dignity bags for our patients and their families. “It is lovely to be able to offer ‘over and above’ the specialised care a person receives from Saint Francis Hospice and we couldn’t have done this without the kind support from Mr Granditer." 🛍️ To make a donation towards local patient care, go to https://www.sfh.org.uk/donate

Sue Spong is our Family Support Counsellor and an avid runner – putting most of our staff to shame with her level of fitness! This is a big year for her as she’s turning 60, and to celebrate in true Sue style, she’s running the London Marathon. 🎽 It’ll be her 17th London Marathon (wow! 😲) and the Havering '90 Joggers team member has already tackled over 25 marathons across the country in her 30 years of running experience – how incredible! Sue’s started volunteering with us in 2000 within the Bereavement Services department after she ran the London Marathon for us, and from then trained to become a family support counselor. “Whether it’s just sitting silently with people there’s always something the hospice can offer that can be incredibly powerful.” Sue knows first-hand that the hospice relies on the local community to help raise over £7million every year for their specialist end of life care. “Fundraising like this enables us to be able to carry on providing for people with the support we put on and the groups we do. What a lady – thank you Sue for inspiring us all with your determination and success. Here’s to you! To read her full story and to donate to her JustGiving page, click here: https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/hospice-counsellor-on-the-run-again

Each year, we’re able to submit an application to The Jack Petchey Foundation for a Leader Achievement Award. This year Shahina Haque, our Family Support Services Manager and Service Development Manager Jan Scott, nominated Clinical Nurse Specialist Eleanor Singh. We were delighted to hear that Eleanor is the winner! 📜 🏆 As the person who worked behind the scenes to help us achieve our very first Jack Petchey grant of £10k, this couldn’t be more fitting! Eleanor has supported the Young Adults Group ever since, and now has a fantastic £750 grant to spend on the project. Enormous congratulations Eleanor - we're so proud of you!

📣 It's official! Frankie's Classic Car & Bike Fest & Vintage Market is back on Sunday 2nd September, showcasing a huge selection of classic cars and bikes leaving no fan disappointed. This is the ultimate family day out - we've a little something for everyone! For more information and to book your classic car or bike for showing, go to https://www.sfh.org.uk/frankies-classic-car-show

👀CHECK THIS OUT!👀 We are looking for a target-focused, highly motivated individual with fundraising and management experience to lead on maximising income from our corporate supporters, both in our local area and in London, to achieve an annual budget target in excess of £300k. Is this you? https://www.sfh.org.uk/jobs

Meet Charlotte from Purfleet – she’s no stranger to fitness and running - she’s got a few 5k and 10k’s under her belt already! But in two weeks’ time she’ll be taking on the grand challenge of the London Marathon in memory of her nan Pauline Elliot, who spent her final three days with us at the hospice in 2015. “I remember being in a private family room with my Nan and she absolutely loved the fact the double doors opened out on to the garden as she had been such a keen gardener. “We were able to bring in flowers and do all the little things that made such a difference to her.” Charlotte has been training hard and understandably feels a mixture of emotions as she counts down to the big day. “I am excited and a bit of fear is starting to creep in as it is becoming more real the closer it gets to the day but I’m also very proud of myself for taking on the challenge,” Charlotte added. For the full story, head to: https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/8661

Our retail shop in Romford was closed for a few weeks last month while we did some urgent works to it 🏗️ but it was officially re-opened this week by the lovely Mayor of Havering! The shop was given a fresh new look, as well as new flooring – making it a bright and safe shopping experience now! Linda, Mayor of Havering, who’s supported us throughout her mayoral year made the grand opening one to remember – with crowds of supporters and a great atmosphere! ’The hospice has done a good job,” said Linda. “I’ve seen some big improvements and the shop is much more open and it seems lighter too. It is so nice to see the volunteers so enthusiastic.” We’re always looking for volunteers for our retail outlets – why not join the team? 💁🏼 Whether you can spare a few hours a day or a few hours a week, we’d really enjoy hearing from you. Learn more about volunteering within our retail shops and how to apply here: https://www.sfh.org.uk/volunteer-retail

It’s April and we’re in the official month of the world famous London Marathon! We’re going to be showcasing some of our incredible members of #TeamSFH who have taken on the ultimate challenge of the 26.2 mile run through London on Sunday 22nd April. Meet Luke, Partnership Manager at the Football Association. For his first ever full marathon he’s chosen the iconic London Marathon – what a champ! He’s running for us and in memory of his godmother Frances Garrett in 2000. She stayed in our inpatient unit where she received care for breast cancer. “She was my mum’s best friend, and although she wasn’t direct family, she was still family.” Luke fondly remembers visiting Frances on Christmas day in 1999, aged 11, and being struck by how “peaceful the hospice was.” “It means everything to be running for the hospice as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. “It’s bigger than just me; it’s about raising money and awareness for the charity. “I am excited as it will be a proud day for me, but there’s also the fear of the unknown and not knowing what’s coming.” Read Luke’s full story here https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/luke-harman-lm where you can also sponsor him!

Last Friday, budding student chefs from Havering College of Further & Higher Education​ generously donated an impressive £434.00 from a fundraising raffle they organised for their customers at The Jubilee Restaurant over Christmas. The students decided to support us after we cared for their lecturer’s father-in-law during his last days in 2017. Tony Pecoraro, Food Service Lecturer and Restaurant Manager at the college, said, “He received such wonderful care and they made things so much easier for the family to cope with.” “We chose to support Saint Francis Hospice again this year because it is such a worthwhile charity and many of our customers have a connection with it.” 💙 What a thoughtful group of students – we’re so proud to have received your fundraising and we wish you all the very best with your course. Don’t forget, they’re also an extremely talented bunch who are able to whip up a delicious spread 😋 please show some support for our local youngsters and make a reservation today! Head over to www.sfh.org.uk/news/catering-students-serve-up-434 to read this story in full and for information on The Jubilee Restaurant in Harold Hill.

When Rowan Townshend takes on the Manchester Marathon on 8th April, he will be raising awareness and funds for hospice care near and far! And his proud mum Briony, who is a Social Worker with our Family Support team, will be cheering him on from the sidelines with all the family! Rowan will be sharing the money he raises between our hospice after being inspired by the difference his mum makes to people at the most difficult time in their lives, and Blythe House Hospice in Derbyshire as it helped his fiance’s mum when she was diagnosed with cancer. “I really wanted to help Saint Francis Hospice as I know my Mum really enjoys working there,” said Rowan. “She's an amazing person, helping people through such hard times. I know she's had such a positive impact on so many peoples’ lives and I know the donations would be going to a good place.” Rowan is in training for the challenge with his friend Ben and they are often joined on runs by his dog Casper. And now he has overcome a knee injury and is back on track, he’s counting down to the race day! “It will be the first ever race I've partaken in, so to finish will be an achievement,” he added. "We are hoping to sneak in under 4 hours, hopefully around the 3 hours 50 mark!” We’re proud of you too Rowan – thanks for your support and we’ll be rooting for you all the way! To sponsor Rowan visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=912748