From a karaoke fundraiser to a static bikeathon, these are just some of the ways colleagues from Welcomm Communications Ltd are raising money for LOROS.
A number of people who work at the Market Harborough based telecoms provider, have set their sights on raising money for the Hospice after a friend of one of the team died there.
Rachel Williamson is leading the team’s fundraising efforts, after her childhood friend Sarah Hull, died at LOROS following a diagnosis with cancer.
“We’ve held a karaoke evening, we are having a static bikeathon and are sponsoring each other to lose weight, with the company matching every pound we lose with an actual pound,” said Rachel, Operations Director at Welcomm.
Rachel’s friend, Sarah, 51, was cared for by LOROS last year, after being first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2015.
The cancer spread to her liver and brain and after taking a rapid turn for the worse last summer, Sarah died in July.
“Sarah’s husband couldn’t say enough good things about LOROS,” added Rachel.
The team at Welcomm have also been spending time volunteering at LOROS events, including Twilight Walk and the Ladies Lunch.
“The care they provided wasn’t just for Sarah, it was for her friends and family too”, added Rachel, who is also taking on the London to Paris bike ride for the Hospice later this year.
“We looked round LOROS and I can’t really describe it but it felt like I was at home, you could feel the compassion everywhere.
“Sarah always told us to get out and about; she was very much into nature and her walking holidays, so us taking on a physical challenge is such a fitting tribute.”
After speaking quite openly about death and dying, Sarah wrote her own eulogy, in which she said “make the most of the time we’re here because we’re here for a good time, not a long time.”
“The words that were read out her funeral definitely helped us make the decision to get involved with fundraising.”
Rachel will be taking on the bike ride, which is more than 300 miles in length, with Sarah’s cousin, Rob Watts.
“My bum might hurt by the end of it but without a doubt, thinking of Sarah and how LOROS supported her will get us through,” she said.
To find out how you can fundraise for the Hospice visit loros.co.uk/support-us
