Stretford travel agent raises hospice cash in memory of mum (From Messenger Newspapers)

Co-operative Travel in Stretford Mall boosts St Ann’s Hospice

4:00pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

BIG hearted customers have helped a Stretford travel agent raise vital funds for the hospice which cared for her mum.

Vikki Lomas, 27, who has worked at Co-operative Travel in Stretford Mall for four years and been with the company for seven, was bowled over by the support from customers and colleagues who have helped her raise £300 for St Ann’s Hospice which has three sites across the Greater Manchester area.

The money was raised by donating the proceeds of selling tickets for a recent day trip to Llandudno and Vikki also did a collection among the customers while they were on the coach.

Vikki from Stockport said: “People were unbelievably generous, putting not just coins but plenty of notes into the collection bucket which really helped raise the total.

“I really can’t thank people enough. It is so caring of them.”

Vikki’s mum, Gaynor, 48, died from cancer just over a year ago and stayed at the hospice with her family around her.

Vikki said: “I have seen how hard the hospice works to maintain the high standard of care for the patient as well as the families involved.

“My mum was cared for in the most professional and friendly manner before she passed away.

“Once my mum was admitted to St Ann's we did not leave her side and the staff were always telling us to get sleep, eat and drink as we would make ourselves ill and with this we took it in shifts between myself, dad and my brother.

“They would make us toast in the middle of the night and it was little things like this which gave my family great comfort.

“From this experience it has given me the motivation to give something back to the hospice for my Mum as she has passed away and because they need it to continue the fantastic work they do with terminally ill patients.”

This is only the start of Vikki’s fundraising efforts because she is organising a glamour themed charity night at Houldsworth Working Men’s Club on what would have been her much loved mum’s 50th birthday – November 10.

Colin McCrory, Stretford Mall Manager, said: “Vikki and her colleagues at Co-operative Travel should be commended for the terrific amount of money they have raised for St Ann’s and it could not have been achieved without the support and generosity of their customers.

“I wish Vikki all the best with the rest of her fundraising efforts and feel sure, if this is anything to go by, they will be a fantastic success.”

Also delighted to see the cash total was Sarah Bennett, Community Fundraising Officer for St Ann’s Hospice, who said: “We are so grateful to Vikki and Cooperative Travel in Stretford for raising funds for St Ann’s Hospice.

“As a local charity, we care for around 3,000 patients, their families and carers every year however we only receive a third of our funding from the NHS.

“Events such as the Llandudno trip are vital to ensure the hospice can continue to provide specialist care both at the hospice, in the community and in people’s own homes.

“We need to raise £16,000 every day to keep providing care free of charge, and I must say a genuine thank you from all our staff, volunteers, patients and families for the support Cooperative Travel has given us.”

Donations for St Ann’s Hospice are ongoing at Co-operative Travel. Drop into the Stretford Mall branch to make your contribution.