Winter Wonderland backs hospice

Businesses support Birmingham hospice with Christmas wreath-making masterclass.

Businesses from across Birmingham have raised over £1,500 for a local hospice, by taking part in a wreath-making masterclass.

Nine city corporates took part in Winter Wonderland – organised by Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice – to kick-start their Christmas celebrations and raise much-needed funds for the charity.

Generous employees from Lloyds Bank, Venn Group, Wesleyan, BE Offices, SCC, Squire Patton Boggs, NatWest, RBS and TFT Consultants created bespoke festive wreaths in the Hospice’s garden during November and December.

The teams also heard family members talk about their personal experiences of hospice care and chatted with nurses about the crucial support they provide every day.

Hannah Freeman, recruitment consultant at Venn Group, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before but it’s been a wonderful way to spend time with colleagues, get into the festive spirit and learn more about the Hospice. Our team have had a lot of fun making our wreaths and we certainly feel more Christmassy now.

“Coming to Birmingham St Mary’s has been a real eye opener for me – I had no idea how many different services they had or how many people they care for across Birmingham and Sandwell. It’s been really humbling to meet some of the people the Hospice has supported and it’s great to see first-hand where the money our team has raised will be going.”

Winter Wonderland is part of the Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign – a festive appeal which aims to boost support for the charity leading up to and over the Christmas period. It will cost £24,658 to run the Hospice’s vital services on Christmas Day – over 64 per cent of which must be raised through generous voluntary donations.

Charlotte Dowling, corporate and community fundraising manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, added: “It’s been wonderful to welcome so many business professionals to our Hospice this Christmas. The wreath-making masterclasses have gone down a storm and the teams have made some beautifully festive decorations – some of which have been donated back to the Hospice and sold to raise even more funds for our care.

“We really do rely on local businesses to give generously at this time of year, enabling more people to receive vital hospice care when they need it most. Thank you to everyone who took part in Winter Wonderland this Christmas – your kind donations will make a big difference to the individuals and loved ones we support.”

You can find out more about the Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign here