President Shirley’s chosen Charity

President Shirley’s chosen charity for her presidential year is St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley, a charity dedicated to providing specialised end of life care to people from Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex, Dorking and East Surrey. The care the hospice provides is free of charge and each year £4.8 million of voluntary income needs to be raised to fund this work.

St Catherine’s is more than just a building – it’s a philosophy of care. It believes that alongside expert  medical and nursing care, a person’s practical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns should be cared for as well. As a result, patients and their families and friends are at the heart of everything they do.

St Catherine’s cares for people both in the hospice building and in their own homes – in fact, over 70% of their patients are cared for at home. There is a also a day hospice which many people benefit from attending.

SI Reigate and District has organised several fund raising events and activities over the past few months, brief details and photos of which are below.

Three of our members were among the 1000 women who took part in the St Catherine’s Hospice Midnight Walk on Saturday 19 June starting and finishing in Horsham Park, raising over £1,000.

The Club also took part in the Reigate Community Festival which served the dual purpose of raising awareness of ourselves and our interests as well as raising further funds for St Catherine’s.

In July the Club held its annual BBQ at Carolyne’s house where we enjoyed some marvelous food and weather and several members ventured into the pool. Apart from being a very enjoyable afternoon it also raised £432.50 for St. Catherine’s

This was followed by Afternoon Tea at Glenys’s on 31 August which was also very successful, with lots of chatter and laughter.

More recently, Hattie organised a Bridge Afternoon at Reigate Hill Golf Club which proved very popular with members and non-members alike, with many guests requesting a repeat performance before too long!

                                  (Carolyne and Kathryn with supporters at finish line) 

                             (Stall at Reigate Community Festival)

     (Rita, Jean, Hattie, Christine, Val and Elaine served welcome tea & cakes to bridge players)