Corporate Emergency Appeal helps raise £236,000 for Overgate Hospice during coronavirus pandemic

The Appeal was launched to counteract the financial impact of coronavirus on the charity after lockdown saw the closure of its 13 retail shops and postponing of all fundraising activities.

Last year, the Elland hospice cared for hundreds of Calderdale patients and their families at a cost of £4.1m, of which 75 per cent was raised by the community through Overgate Hospice’s retail shops and local fundraising activities.

A small group of local business people felt compelled to act to help Overgate through this difficult period. The group of five launched the Corporate Emergency Appeal for Overgate Hospice in May 2020 and set themselves a fundraising target of £250,000. They made personal donations to the appeal and asked their business contacts and networks to join them in supporting the hospice.

Richard Porter, Chairman of Halifax-based construction company DD Porter and long-standing supporter of the hospice, led the appeal, working closely with Richard Blackburn, Managing Director of PIB Insurance Brokers, Jessica Collinge, Head of Customer Experience Strategy at Yorkshire Water, Chris Bell, Founder of B M Howarth Ltd. and John Smith, Joint Chairman of Smith Brothers Contracting Ltd.

Richard Porter said: “We met via Zoom with the Overgate team to discuss our concerns about the decline in fundraising income and agreed that we needed to help. We came up with a simple idea of asking our networks to donate a minimum of £1000, either via their business or privately. We asked people not only to donate, but to reach out to their networks to consider helping as well. We’ve come so far and it would make a huge difference for Overgate if we can reach £250,000. If you are in a position to help and join the list, please do.”

Craggs Energy Group, which includes The Craggs Country Business Parks, was one of the first businesses in Calderdale to join the supporter list with a generous donation of £3,000 in May 2020.

Chief Executive, Chris Bingham, said: “We’re delighted that our donation will go directly to help care for local people living with a life limiting illness and fund the specialist work that the team at Overgate do.”

Overgate Hospice’s Chief Executive Janet Cawtheray said: “On behalf of everyone at Overgate Hospice and, and all of those who have been cared for at the hospice this year, I wish to express our gratitude to each and every supporter to the Corporate Emergency Appeal so far. We are heavily reliant on the ongoing support of our local community. We need support now more than ever to continue our vital work and ensure Overgate nurses can be there to provide end of life care when people need it.”