The Co-operative Motor Group’s Sara Raises Funds for Local Hospice

Two friends who organised a charity ball for the local Manorlands hospice are building on their fundraising success with another dinner dance and race night at Skipton’s Rendezvous hotel.

Sara Spurr of Oakworth and Lucy Finn, of Riddlesden, raised more than £12,000 for Manorlands Hospice and Cancer Research UK when they held a sell-out charity ball at the Rendezvous in 2006.

Now the dynamic duo, who have both experienced having family members with cancer, are hoping a second black tie event will raise more money for the worthy local cause.

Sara, 33, who works in the fleet department of The Co-operative Motor Group Renault Bradford, said: “Lucy and I have been friends since we were teenagers. We decided to organise the first event after Lucy’s mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and then my granddad died of cancer in 2005.

This year Lucy's grandmother was unfortunately taken very ill and was taken into Manorlands after a 6 year battle with Lymphoma, but sadly passed away on February 23rd. Both Lucy's grandmother and Sara's Grandfather were looked after at Manorlands Hospice  in Oxenhope. Sara said “We were so impressed with the care they received. It was like the staff were looking after their own family. We wanted to give something back.

“Lots of people tried to talk us out of doing a ball saying it was a lot of hard work for little money, but more than 200 people turned out in their finest on the night and it was a huge success. In fact this year we have allocated more seating in anticipation of demand.”

The event, on Friday 16 May, will include: a champagne reception; three-course meal; entertainment from acclaimed local comedian Farrell Butler; a ‘night at the races’ where guests can sponsor a horse, buy a horse or place their bets; a raffle and disco. The price for a table of ten is £400.

Jodie Shepherd, area fundraising manager for Manorlands said: “It was great to work with Sara and Lucy when they organised the last event. As a fundraising team, we are here to support people who raise money for us and I was delighted to attend on the evening and see all their hard work pay off. They raised an incredible amount. It’s fantastic that they are repeating the event this year.”

The hospice, which doesn’t charge patients for the care they receive, relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its £2million-a-year running costs. The money raised from Sara and Lucy’s event will go towards running a 16-bed in-patient unit, day care centre, day therapy unit, a satellite unit in Skipton, a community team and various services such as bereavement support and complementary therapies.

For more information or to book a table contact Sara Spurr sara.spurr@sunwin.co.uk