News - Duchess of Kent House

Seven members of Timberland’s UK HQ based in Wexham, Slough came to Reading’s local hospice – Duchess of Kent House – for the second time this year to blitz the garden.. Timberland take their CSR (corporate social responsibility) very seriously and employees volunteer to help local charities and not-for-profit organisations like ours. This time Tony Keen and crew power pressure cleaned paths and patios, and refurbished outdoor furniture, making it look like new.

Earlier in the year, the Timberland crew cleared some dense hedging and undergrowth surrounding the car park. 29.07.08

Local members and friends of the Reading & County branch of the Federation of Master Builders held a 31-team Charity Golf Day at the Calcot Golf Club last month, and are pleased to donate the proceeds of £2,500 to The Duchess of Kent House Charity.

Kevin Smith, local chairman said that the charity was chosen in memory of his friend Bob Marshall who was treated at the hospice with care, love and attention. Kevin would like to thank all those who took part in the Golf Day and everyone who help raise the money. 23.07.08

Four staff members of the Police Rehabilitation Centre in Goring raised over £1600 in memory of Anne King who was a patient at Reading’s Hospice, Duchess of Kent House from May last year until April.

Most of the money was raised through a sponsored swim at the 160 roomed rehabilitation centre in Goring, with the remainder coming from a raffle. Pauline Cooper and colleagues were keen that the money raised went towards a specific piece of equipment, so it has been used to purchase a special high

L to R: Gaynor Lloyd, Duchess of Kent House Unit Manager, Alison King, Ben Dixon, Pauline Cooper and Cheryl Cunningham of the Police Rehabilitation Centre

Reached us at Reading, Friday 4 July originally from Leeds and Bristol and now off to Bournemouth. Their target is to reach £20,000 to be divided between the 4 hospices visited and Help the Hospices. 4.07.08

On Saturday, 21 June, Reading Lions held their annual Fun Day at Prospect Park opposite the hospice. At our stall we sold lots of plants and retail items (£270). Local funeral directors Cyril H Lovegrove of Dignity provided their sheet organ to attract members of the public to our stand. Also performing were Reading Spring Gardens Band who will again be supporting us at the annual carol service called Light Up A Life on Friday 5 December , when we come together to remember the lives of our loved ones no longer with us. 28.06.08

Employees of David Wilson Homes in Hungerford (we are their Charity of the Year) ran in the Newbury 10K on 1 June to raise funds for us. They are also avidly collecting toner cartridges for us for recycling. 28.06.08

On Saturday 21 June Berkshire Shire Hall Rugby Club raised £1036 for us at their 50^th Anniversary Ball at the Calcot Hotel.

The George at Loddon Bridge, Earley raised over £1000 for us at their May Bank Holiday Fun Day. 28.06.08

Wing Commander McApline and colleagues entertained a small group of us at RAF Odiham and presented us with a cheque for £500, the result of a sponsored South Downs Challenge Walk

Debbie Mumford’s team at The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Call Centre in Theale chose Duchess of Kent House as its charity of the year. Debbie said,

“Many of us have had friends and relatives who have benefited from the extraordinary work that the hospice does. My team set about fundraising through selling gifts, cake baking and a huge raffle. It was amazing at how quickly people responded to this, praised the Duchess of Kent House & how generously they gave. In a 4 week period we raised over £675! The RBS Group has been kind enough to match the first £500 we raised, ensuring a healthy £1175.90 donation to the charity.” 29.5.08

The Timberland Crew

L to R: Kevin Smith, Local Chairman, Federation of Master Builders and George Solly of Duchess of Kent House Charity

L to R: Nicola McGoff, Ros James, George Solly, Debbie Mumford & Theresa Chapman

Dave’s Ices sponsored by Audi and Dave himself (whose wife was treated here 18 months ago) popped into the unit on the last sunny day of the recent hot weather to provide patients and staff with free ice creams, much appreciated by all. 14.5.08

Andy Wild, Manager of the Sandford Springs Golf Club, presenting George Solly, Fundraising Manager of the charity Duchess of Kent House Charity with a cheque for £7500. Golf club owners Jennifer & Paul Gibbons are ardent supporters of the charity and through the annual charity Golf Day held at Sandford Springs Golf Club have raised over £30,000 since 2002. 13.5.08

119 walkers participated in our Annual Charity Walk in the Englefield Estate on 11 May, raising a creditable £800 (so far). With thanks to estate owner, Richard Benyon, and to Kate Clark and all the other helpers. 12.5.08