Double boost for hospice project

A brave charity fund-raiser who suffered serious injuries in a car crash refused to be stopped in her quest to help a local charity.
Aldi staff with Wigan and Leigh Hospice employees handing over a cheque following charity fund-raising led by Kelly Stokes (second from left, back row)Aldi staff with Wigan and Leigh Hospice employees handing over a cheque following charity fund-raising led by Kelly Stokes (second from left, back row)
Aldi staff with Wigan and Leigh Hospice employees handing over a cheque following charity fund-raising led by Kelly Stokes (second from left, back row)

Claire Fulton, from Lowton, shrugged off the long-term damage to her leg to complete a walk around 20 laps of a swimming pool in aid of Wigan and Leigh Hospice (WLH).

The 55-year-old spoke of her gratitude to the Hindley-based charity for looking after family members and her determination to do her bit to help.

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Claire said: “I had two aunties die of cancer so I wanted to do something in memory of them and my physiotherapist suggested this challenge.

“I go swimming every week so it was a good fit.

“It took me over an hour but I’m chuffed to bits that I’ve done it.”

Counting up the sponsorship she received from her friends, family and carers, Claire raised £113.40 for the hospice with her challenge.

The funds will go towards the charity’s Counting on Care appeal which aims to raise £50,000 towards the renovating the in-patient unit at its Kildare Street headquarters and making it more dementia friendly.

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Hospice community fund-raiser Christine Edwardson thanked Claire for her kind donation.

And generous supermarket staff have also boosted hospice coffers in gratitude for the care it gave the late mum of an employee.

The charity was given a £400 community grant from Aldi after it was nominated by Kelly Stokes from the cut-price retailer’s recruitment, training and human resources academy.

Kelly’s mother, Denise Winstanley, was looked after by the hospice during her final illness and Kelly today spoke of her delight that her colleagues at Aldi had backed her desire to give something back to WLH.

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She said: “As part of a community charity nomination initiative, many of my colleagues supported me in the nomination for the hospice, knowing that this was something that meant a lot to me.

“The hospice looked after my mum and my family and I have never forgotten the support they gave us all.

“It is such a special place and I’m delighted that I’ve been able to bring my colleagues to the hospice so that they can learn more about it, and that we’ve been able to make this donation.”

This money took will go towards the Counting on Care appeal.

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Maxine Armstrong, WLH fund-raising and lottery manager, said: “On behalf of the hospice I would like to thank the team at Aldi for their kind donation and particularly Kelly for nominating the hospice.

“These funds will go directly towards our appeal which aims to make the in-patient unit a much more comfortable and welcoming place for all of our patients and visitors.”

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