Laura swims in chilly Lake Windermere for Dorothy House

A member of staff from Top Banana Team in Frome is taking a dip in Lake Windermere to raise money for Dorothy House. Laura Harrison who works as a programme manager at the communications, events and marketing company based in Commerce Park on the outskirts of Frome is joining thousands of others in the Great North Swim on Sunday 5th September.

The Great North Swim is a one-mile route in Lake Windermere in Cumbria which, despite settling in Bath, is where Laura grew up.

Laura Harrison, said “It is the third time that I have taken part in the Great North Swim and it is always nice to return home for the event because my friends and family are able to come along.
“Although I do know what to expect, I still get very nervous because the water is very cold and nothing can really prepare you for that. Fortunately, I will be wearing a wetsuit!
“I am delighted to be raising money for Dorothy House this year because it is Top Banana Team’s charity of the year and so over the next 12 months we will be joining in a number of fundraising events, including the Midnight Walk on 11th September.”

Phillippa Watson, Corporate & Events Fundraiser for Dorothy House, said “We’re delighted that Laura has signed up to take part in the Great North Swim in aid of Dorothy House and we wish her all the best.”

If you would like to sponsor Laura visit her justgiving website.

Crane continue to support Dorothy House

Dorothy House Hospice Care has received an annual grant since 2007 from the Crane Fund in America via Crane Merchandising Systems, based in Chippenham. Vanessa Johnson from Crane applied for the grants on behalf of Dorothy House in memory of her boss, Greg Jackson, who was sales director of the company. Greg was cared for by Dorothy House before his death and a tulip fund has been set up in his memory. So far, the grants from the Crane Fund total over £10,000.

Accepting the cheque, director of fundraising Katrina Sudbury said "We are very grateful to Crane, and to Vanessa in particular, for their continued support of the hospice in these difficult economic times".

Million Metres Marathon

The Partners at local accountancy firm, Monahans, have just completed their Million Metres Marathon at Bath University Sports Village. Rubbing shoulders with some of the top athletes in the country, they used the superb facilities at the University to run the last few metres of their challenge.

Throughout the month of November the 17 Partners at the firm successful walked, ran, swam and cycled 1,000,000 metres between them and in the process raised £3,800 in sponsorship. This will be added to the money already collected through the year to celebrate Monahans 20th anniversary of raising money for charity. This year they were hoping to raise more than £10,000 for their three nominated charities, Prospect Hospice, Dorothy House Hospice Care and St Margaret’s Hospice, and this final push should see them achieving that target.

Managing Partner Mike Shawyer explains that “The million metres has proven quite a challenge for the Partners here and I am very proud of what they have achieved. We are looking forward to collecting in all the sponsorship and making a significant donation to each of these great charities.”

Bath Building Society supports Dorothy House

Bath Building Society has had a record response to voting turnout for its AGM, expected to result in a substantial donation to Dorothy House Hospice Care. Every year, the society encourages its members to vote on the composition of the board, and to receive the report and accounts. For every feedback form received, BBS donates 30p to Dorothy House.
As a small and local building society, BBS aims to support the local community in which it operates, and has an active programme of support well under way for 2009, including the annual Charity Awards scheme. Dick Jenkins, chief executive of Bath Building Society, said: "The society is well known for being 'closer to our customers', and one way we try to do this is through supporting community groups, charities and initiatives in the local area. Dorothy House provides such an important service for thousands of people in and around Bath every year and we're delighted to be able to offer our support."

Katrina Sudbury, director of fundraising at Dorothy House, said: "We really appreciate the regular support we receive from Bath Building Society. This year, we need £3 million to maintain our services at the current level. Dorothy House Hospice Care receives only about 30 per cent of its funding from the NHS, and the hospice depends on the generosity of local people.
We receive no funding from national charities like Macmillan and Marie Curie towards the cost of providing nursing care in people's own homes, so the generous support of businesses in our community is absolutely vital."

For more info on Bath Building Society and their services, visit the Bath Building Society website.

Payroll Giving: Make a Difference

The Home Office recently announced a grant programme designed to get small and medium sized companies to set up payroll giving schemes. We will be encouraging local companies to implement the scheme to persuade their staff to make a monthly donation from their salary before tax. The benefits are clear, but many companies still don't offer this simple and tax effective method of giving to their staff. Now with these new financial incentives there are no excuses. Depending on its size, a company will receive a grant of up to £500 to set up a scheme and the government will match each donation (up to £10) made by employees for the first six months. As any payroll giving donation is made before the PAYE tax is calculated, donations cost employees less. An individual's donation of £5 per month would only cost £3.90, ie. the cost of one lunch once a month, as the taxman would pay the rest. With Home Office matching, this £3.90 is worth £10 to Dorothy House. For more information we have devised a simple guide to payroll giving and Phillipa Watson would welcome the chance to meet your company to talk about the benefits and how to put a scheme in place. Alternatively, log onto to www.payrollgivinggrants.org.uk for more details

Give as you earn

Giving through your pay is one of the best ways you can help. GAYE allows employees to give a tax-free amount to charity on a regular basis directly from their salary. And it gets better! So when you give £3.90 per month Dorothy House receives £5.00. If you're a higher rate taxpayer then it only costs you £3.00!
To find out how easy it is to give contact the fundraising department on 01225 721480

Running an Event

Pyjama parties, cycle rides, horse-less team events, marathons, sponsored silences and custard pie throwing are just a few events that companies have run to raise money. Come up with your own whacky ideas to have fun or contact Phillippa Watson or Yvonne Brunton in fundraising on 01225 722988

Matched Giving

Many companies will match the money that their employees have raised for charity. Lana Mackrell raised the highest sponsorship money for the Girls on Top driving challenge –and that was before she got matched funding from her employers – Rotork, in Bath. She raised £268 and with matched giving, the grand total of £536 goes towards patient care at Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Many thanks to all those companies which have sponsored events, run their own events, donated raffle and tombola prizes and helped in all manner of ways throughout our 30th birthday year. If you or your company would like to get involved with fundraising for Dorothy House, please E-mail: pwatson@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk