Loros Appeal smashes its target – thanks to Leicester Mercury readers!
In less than six weeks, readers have raised a whopping £102,026 – and donations are still flooding in. Loros bosses said they were "lost for words" and issued a heartfelt thank you to the people of Leicestershire and Rutland.
The cash will go towards the cost of an extension, which opened in October.
Loros chief executive Simon Proffitt said: "A sincere thank-you to anyone who has contributed to us hitting our target. I also want to thank the Mercury for supporting the appeal.
"It is a magnificent achievement and a great Christmas present for Loros."
The appeal's aim was to raise the £450,000 still needed to meet the cost of the £2m extension, which increased the number of single-bed rooms at the hospice from eight to 19.
We set the target of £100,000 by Christmas but will continue with the campaign next year.
Mr Proffitt said: "It's fantastic to reach the target – and we hope anyone who wants to organise fund-raising events will continue to support us in 2010."
Since we launched our appeal on November 16, donations have been coming in thick and fast from readers touched by the stories of patients, relatives, staff and volunteers.
Fund-raising events have ranged from coffee mornings to a 'Where's Wally?' hunt through the city centre.
Loros corporate fund-raiser Marisa Spiteri, who has taken on challenges to raise money for the appeal, said she was "lost for words" at the generosity of Mercury readers.
She said: "I'm in awe of how people have got behind this to raise so much.
"It's a time when there are lots of other things to think about and people are very busy, but this shows what true Christmas spirit is.
"It's amazing what has been achieved in less than six weeks. "It makes me proud to be a part of this community.
"I want to say a thank you."
Sadly, David Berry, the cancer patient who helped launch our appeal, died at Loros last week, aged 74.
His family said he would be "jumping for joy" if he was alive to see how much had been raised.
His wife Brenda, of Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, said: "I know what he'd say, he'd say 'blimey'.
"Then he'd tell people to keep going, keep donating.
"I think it's lovely and he would be proud to think he helped by telling his story.
"Lots of friends sent donations after he died. It's funny how times such as this bring out the best in people – he'd want to help Loros."
Recent donations have included £550 from Willoughby Waterleys carol singers and £450 from Leicester Bowling Club.
John Harris, who organised the carol singing, said: "We do carol singing around the village every year but this year we saw the stories and thought we'd raise money for the Loros appeal.
"It's a local charity that everybody thinks is a very worthwhile cause.
"It seemed to go down well and they gave very generously, despite our singing!
"I'm very pleased with the amount raised."
A buffet was held at Khan's Thai and Indian restaurant, in Oadby, on Tuesday.
A gig by Bandjaxed and other acts at the Musician, in the city, last night collected more than £1,000.
About 2,500 people benefit each year from the services provided by Loros.
The 31-bed hospice provides terminal and respite care for people with incurable illnesses and supports their families.
Mercury deputy editor Richard Bettsworth said he wanted to thank everyone who had supported the appeal.
He said: "This would be an amazing achievement in any year but when one considers that people have been so generous in the midst of an economic recession, it is even more astonishing. It shows the high regard that people have for Loros.
"The hospice has helped many families over the years, providing them with a haven of tranquillity and kindness at a difficult time and this has been reflected in the outpouring of support we have seen over the past six weeks. More than anything else, the Christmas spirit is about generosity. The people of Leicestershire, our wonderful readers, have once again shown that in abundance. Thank you to all concerned."
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