TV show inspires hospice’s £26m fundraising efforts

A NOVEL money-making scheme borrowed from a recent episode of TV’s The Apprentice is set to boost the £26 million fundraising drive in support of St Columba’s Hospice.

Tomorrow and the following Thursday, September 1, two ten-strong teams from the Lloyds Banking Group will take over the hospice’s Morningside Road shop for one day – to see which team can make most money.

It’s all in support of the hospice’s campaign to build a new home and continue its work for the 1000-plus patients it cares for every year and the patients’ families, who also receive invaluable support.

It is hoped the would-be entrepreneurs from Lloyds will help the campaign reach its total fundraising target of £7m to rebuild St Columba’s Hospice. The driving force behind the bank’s efforts in backing the hospice’s campaign is Peter Irvine, assistant manager of the Edinburgh Agency Team, whose friend had first-hand experience of the care and devotion at St Columba’s.

He said: “The rebuild and refurb project was a charity close to our hearts. Not only is it worthwhile, but by adding a competitive, financial element to it we also give our staff a challenge that is business orientated.”