Financial services firm Sesame Bankhall Group has raised £33,000 as part of its pledge to support the Build It Together campaign launched by St Ann’s Hospice.
Sale-based Sesame Bankhall Group undertook a series of fundraising events to sponsor a counselling room in the new building in Heald Green, as part of a two-year partnership with the hospice which began in 2022.
The company has been fundraising since then to raise the amount pledged, with colleagues taking part in a wide range of fundraising initiatives, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks, bake sales, and several 24-hour challenges including a rowathon and a karaoke marathon.
Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Service at St Ann’s Hospice, says: “There is currently no designated counselling room at our Heald Green hospice site, so we’re very grateful to Sesame Bankhall Group for supporting us with their fundraising for a designated safe place specifically for counselling.
“The counselling room will enable patients and their families to access vital support in a welcoming and supportive environment. Demand is high for these services, and the new hospice in Heald Green will have a suite of three dedicated counselling rooms, self-contained to maintain privacy and ease of access.
“This new space will be available to our patients and their families on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. This is a vital service for those living at home with a life limiting illness that need specialist support for pain, symptom and psychological management.”
Kate Sparkes, Head of HR & Development at Sesame Bankhall Group, added: “We take our responsibilities to our people and our local community very seriously, and when we heard about the new hospice, we were determined to be a part of making it happen. There was overwhelming support throughout Sesame Bankhall Group for this fantastic cause and we’re delighted to have met our target of £33,000 to sponsor a counselling room.
“Our colleagues have worked hard through a series of fund-raising initiatives and the support received from our customers, partners, family and friends, has been hugely appreciated. We can’t wait to see the building work begin and the new hospice take shape.”
St Ann’s Hospice’s Build It Together campaign was launched last June to raise the final £2 million that is needed towards the £24 million new hospice building.
The beginning of the construction of a new purpose-built hospice to replace the current Victorian building is set to start in January. St Ann’s new hospice will be a complete care facility in Greater Manchester that local people can access, from diagnosis of a life-limiting illness to treatment and beyond.
Fundraising for the Build it Together campaign continues, and St Ann’s Hospice still needs your support to bring this project to life. To find out more about how you can donate visit www.sah.org.uk/newhospice
