In a year of fire walks, Motown and mountain climbing our Give Your Quid campaign raised £76,000 for St Raphael’s Hospice.

The grand total from the Sutton and Wimbledon Guardian campaign that finished this week, is going to be match-funded by St Anthony’s Hospital - which is owned by the same charity as the hospice The Daughter’s of the Cross.

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The £152,000 total will be added to a recent government grant of £510,000 and used to build a new orangery extension for the hospice.

It will be a large area in the centre of the hospice providing overnight accommodation for relatives of patients in St Raphael’s and a cafe.

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It is expected to make a huge difference to patients and their families.

Absolutely Fabulous star June Whitfield is passionate about the hospice and helped launch the appeal just over a year ago.

She said: "I’d like to say many congratulations to all the people who have raised money and come up with £76,000 - it’s pretty amazing.

"It is wonderful that it has been matched by St Anthony’s. It is a wonderful hospital and hospice. If anything - St Raphael’s deserves to have the best of everything."

As part of the appeal numerous people who have been touched by St Raphael’s spoke about its importance.

Residents ran the marathon, our journalists walked on fire, Motown Sisters staged a chrity show, and one little girl even shaved her head all in aid of the Give Your Quid appeal.

Sean Duggan, editor of the Sutton Guardian said: "I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our readers in Wimbledon and Sutton who have given so generously to this appeal.

"These are tough times for many, but the response shows just how much people value the service provided by St Raphael’s Hospice. It is great news that the donated money will be spent making the hospice an even more supportive environment for patients and their families."

 

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Wimbledon Guardian assistant editor Nick Hitchens and Sutton reporter Sophia Sleigh