Hospice appeal fund reaches £150k mark

Published on 13/08/2010 10:24

The Evening News-backed campaign to help rebuild St Columba's Hospice has now raised £150,000 in less than four months.

Donations from our generous readers have boosted the Buy a Brick appeal to the incredible total, delighting staff, supporters, patients and their families.

The campaign asks donors to give whatever they can to buy a "virtual brick" at the appeal website.

The money raised has kick-started the hospice's bid to raise around 7 million towards the 26m rebuild at its site in Granton.

The project will see the wards completely rebuilt, social and therapy areas renewed, a new garden created and a brand new teaching centre. There will be more single rooms for patients, better facilities for families and a new "sacred space" for relaxation and contemplation.

&#149 Click here to find out how you can help

Martin Lawlor, campaign fundraising manager for St Columba's, said: "To have raised 150,000 in under four months has been simply extraordinary, but we still have over 6m to raise. It's a lot of money, but we know that with the people of Edinburgh and the Evening News behind us we can reach our goal.

"Thank you to everyone who has bought a brick so far and if you haven't supported our appeal yet, please consider making a donation, however large or small. Every little bit will help us build a new St Columba's Hospice."

Virtual bricks bought at the website www.bluedove.org.uk can be dedicated to the memory of a loved one, given as gifts, or simply used to mark a special occasion.

The hospice's director of fundraising, Lesley Christie, said: "We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity and support our community has shown to our Buy a Brick Appeal.

"One thing that has surprised us is the variety of reasons why people have bought a brick. They cover all aspects of life, it's wonderful.

"People have bought a brick to remember a loved one who has passed away, to celebrate a wedding or the birth of a baby, and as a virtual gift for someone's birthday or retirement.

"There are people who have bought a brick from the money they've raised from fundraisers including car boot sales, raffles in their workplace, pub quizzes and fitness challenges, and we've had donations from as far away as Australia and North America.

"It seems that there are literally thousands of people who have been touched by the work of St Columba's Hospice at some point in their lives."

Linsay Black, whose husband Douglas died at the hospice in 2006, said: "I think it's fantastic, particularly given the difficulties in the economy at the moment, that they've managed to do that so quickly, and I hope that people keep giving, because it's such a valuable place."