Family ask public to back charity raffle

Since the beginning of the year, 11-year-old Immy Leith, dad Richard and siblings Becky and Josh have walked hundreds of miles in a virtual Land’s End to John o’ Groats challenge.

They are doing it as a way of giving something back to Severn Hospice, who cared for their mum and wife Kerry, who died last year.

Now dad Richard, from Bridgnorth is asking people to buy tickets for the charity’s raffle – which has a top prize of £5,000.

Richard said: “Every £1 you give means they can continue to provide the care and love that people rely on.”

Despite the pandemic, Severn Hospice has continued to support thousands of people living with incurable illness in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.

Richard added: “Kerry passed away last June after being diagnosed with mouth cancer, and thanks to the care of the hospice we were able to be a family.

“When we knew nothing more could be done, the nurses came in and did all the necessary things; washing, giving medication, talking to Kerry, asking how she was each day and managing her pain.

“And they didn’t just care for Kerry. They cared for us too and allowed us to be a family together. That is something we treasure.”

He added: “As a family, we will do whatever we can to support Severn Hospice: they do such important work and without them, so many families would not cope.

“Each ticket bought for the summer raffle means a family somewhere is guaranteed support as they face the most difficult of times.”

Karen Swindells, Severn Hospice Lottery Manager, said: “Our raffles are vital fundraisers for us, especially so now when all of our usual fundraising activities have been so badly affected by the pandemic.

“Despite all the disruption everyone’s faced in the past year, our supporters have never let us down; they’re truly amazing, so generous and loyal.

“What’s great about the raffle is that everyone wins! Not only are people in with a chance of winning the top prize of £5,000 or one of 42 other cash prizes, they are supporting our work across the patch,” she said.

“Anyone over 16 can play, – it may be small change to you, but it will make a big difference to us,” added Karen.

As well as a direct appeal to supporters via a letter, raffle tickets can be bought from the hospice’s website, its main receptions in Telford and Shrewsbury, or from its Shrewsbury superstore.

Karen said: “We are proud that we were able to be there for Richard, Kerry and the children and we are so grateful to them for all they have done for us. Immy’s walk has really captured the attention of people all over the country. She has appeared in local and national newspapers, on local radio and even on BBC Breakfast.”

People can buy raffle tickets online at www.severnhospice.org.uk/2021summerraffle