AFTER the excitement of reaching their 20th birthday last year and having raised in excess of £200,000 during their 20 years of existence, the Llandrindod Wells Friends of Hope House went on to raise a further £2,530 in the last three months of 2022.
This was made up of the sales of Christmas cards and other festive items and many very kind donations, and brought the total banked for Hope House in the year to £9,734.49.
The Friends of Hope House was set up in the spa town by Ilma Marpole and Cath Carroll 20 years ago. The group celebrated its 20th birthday milestone throughout last year and had aimed to break the £200k mark as a fitting tribute to their hard work.
The figure stood at around £193,000 in early 2022 but a garden fete and birthday party held in Llanyre on September 11 saw them smash the £200,000 barrier. A magnificent sum of £1,541.81 was raised for Hope House from the milestone event, which meant the friends group had raised the stunning total of £200,411.41 since establishing itself two decades ago.
The group has over the years raised money through everything from fun days to cake sales, selling knitted goods to organising a pop-up shop, concerts and garden parties.
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Ilma has been the chair of the group for the last 20 years alongside the treasurer and secretary, Cath. They were joined by Linda Price and Christina Porter as the founding members.
“I remember when we first met with people from Hope House to discuss setting up a friends group,” said Ilma.
“There were a number of children and families here at the time that had started to get care at the hospice and we knew it was a worthwhile cause to raise money for. I’m not sure any of us could have imaged then we would raise £200,000 and still be going 20 years later.”
The first event the group held was a collection outside the town’s old Kwik Save supermarket which raised £166.
“We’re all extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve for the hospices,” said Cath.
The group celebrated its 20th anniversary with a garden party at Ilma’s house.
Andy Goldsmith, chief executive of Hope House Children’s Hospices, said of reaching the £200,000 mark: “The contribution from the Llandrindod Wells Friends Group has been nothing short of amazing.
“All their work over the last 20 years has helped us to grown and reach more local children and families.
“To have given so much of their time and energy to the charity for two decades is truly humbling, and it is people like them that have made the charity what it is today.”
The friends group has continued its fundraising efforts in 2023 by renting the Cefnllys Charity Shop in Middleton Street, Llandrindod, this past week. They had been hoping to sell lots of bargains, including new and good quality second hand items, clothes, books, jigsaws and more.
They will next be holding a special coffee morning on Friday, May 5, at the Pavilion in Llandrindod to celebrate the King’s coronation and supporting the Hope House ‘Eat Cake’ annual initiative.
For further information about Hope House Children’s Respite Hospice, the local friends group and its activities, contact Ilma Marpole on 01597 822604 or Cath Carroll on 01597 823252.
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